Shooting inquiry draws interest of ex-FBI chief

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh is interested in handling Broward County’s independent investigation into the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, a county official said.

Freeh met Monday morning with County Commissioner Michael Udine and Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky.

Freeh contacted Udine last week after seeing a news article in which Udine mentioned him as someone with the “gravitas” to lead the county’s investigation.

Udine said that it would be county administrators who would recommend to commissioners an individual or firm to head the independent look into the shooting incident and earlier investigations into reported tips that gunman Nikolas Cruz was a danger.

“I know they’re speaking to different people,” Udine said. “[Freeh] had reached out to me last week and wanted to come down.”

Seventeen students and staff were killed during the Feb. 14 massacre and 16 others were injured.

Broward commissioners said there will be a number of investigations into the shooting by the various agencies involved in the response and that had earlier contact with Cruz. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been ordered by Gov. Rick Scott to look into the Broward Sheriff ’s Office response.

Since the county had no significant role in the events, commissioners think they can provide an impartial look at where failings occurred and suggest actions that need to be taken.

The commission also wants to create a task force including the various agencies to go through all the reports that are produced and discuss ways the agencies can better share information that could save lives.

Freeh heads Freeh Group International Solutions, LLC, which is a global risk management firm with a portfolio that includes safety and security, investigations and due diligence. Freeh led an investigation into child sexual abuse allegations involving former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Hunschofsky said she won’t play a role in who the county selects and doesn’t know who it will be considering. She said she was impressed with Freeh during the meeting at her City Hall office.

lbarszewski@SunSentinel .com, 954-356-4556 or Twitter @lbarszewski