‘Many deaths’ after US school shooting
TEENAGER ARRESTED FOLLOWING FLORIDA RAMPAGE
A SENATOR said there were “many deaths” after a teenager went on a shooting rampage at a Florida high school.
US authorities said at least 14 people were injured in the attack – but Florida Senator Bill Nelson said there were “many deaths”, citing conversations with the school superintendent, the FBI and the sheriff’s office.
The 18-year-old shooter is in custody, Broward County Sheriff’s Office said, after Swat teams swarmed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The gunman is a former student and was arrested without incident off campus, it added.
Television footage showed police putting a person in the back of a police car outside the high school. It followed scenes of students frantically running from the building and ambulance crews treating people outside the school yesterday afternoon.
Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie said: “There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation.” He added: “It is a horrible day for us.”
Police were clearing students from the school “one building at a time”, the school said. Coral Springs Police department tweeted instructions to teachers and students to “remain barricaded inside until police reach you”.
The local public school district tweeted: “Today, close to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s dismissal, students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire. The school immediately went on lockdown but is now dismissing students. We are receiving reports of possible multiple injuries.”
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office tweeted: “Victims have been and continue to be transported to Broward Health Medical Centre and Broward Health North hospital.”
President Donald Trump tweeted condolences “to the families of the victims”.
Florida Congressman Ted Deutch tweeted: “I’m sick about this news from home... This is devastating.”