Florida shooting hits close to home for A’s prospect

MESA, ARIZ. >> A’s prospect Jesus Luzardo was getting ready to practice with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High baseball team Wednesday, something he did three times a week for two months in the offseason back home, when he received a frightening text from the team’s baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald — there was a shooter on campus.

Luzardo is a 2016 graduate from the school in Parkland, Florida, where tragedy struck as 17 students and teachers were killed in what became the seconddeadliest shooting at a U.S. public school.

A feeling of helplessness came over Luzardo after receiving the text from FitzGerald. He quickly sent out texts and calls to the many people he knew at the school, anxious and hopeful of a response from them letting him know they are safe. Some replied right away, while others took longer.

“I was kind of in the dark a little bit,” Luzardo said Saturday at the A’s minor league complex. “I texted a good friend of mine’s little brother, he was in the school. He was all freaking out, but when he got out I talked to him. Throughout the day I was hearing back from a lot of people. It was kind of nerve-racking for a little bit. But at the end of the day I basically heard back from all the people.”

Nikolas Cruz, the shooter on campus, was a familiar face to Luzardo. The two attended the high school at the same time. Though he never had a class with Cruz, Luzardo knew plenty of people who did.

“I remember his face. I know friends who told me they had him in classes and I know someone who sat next to him,” Luzardo said. “I knew who he was.”

Luzardo described the chilling details recounted to him from about seven players on the Douglas baseball team who were giving him updates as the school went into lockdown. Some were hiding in closets. Some heard gunshots.

“I had probably like six or seven of those kids’ numbers and I would just call them. They were all texting me while it was going,” Luzardo said. “It was pretty tough.”

The community of Parkland tight-knit. Luzardo said the residents all pretty much know each other, and are usually outgoing and friendly.

But having spent the days following the shooting in Parkland, Luzardo noticed an obvious change in the vibe around the town.

“The majority of the people over there were in shock when it all happened. It kind of felt like an emptiness the last two days. It just wasn’t the same,” Luzardo said. “You could go to the gym or go eat and everyone was down. From Coral Springs to Parkland. It was just a weird feeling.”

Things became a little more united at a vigil for the victims at Pine Trails Park, a large complex in Parkland.

“There was a lot of people there,” Luzardo said. “It was good to see the community rally around them.”

After making sure his friends and family were safe, Luzardo immediately sought out to help. He is partnering with the Oakland A’s Community Fund to raise money for the families of the victims.

Luzardo, 20, was acquired by the A’s last season from the Washington Nationals in a trade for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson.

Now one of the top pitching prospects in the organization, Luzardo arrived in Arizona on Saturday for the start of minor league camp ready to dedicate the season to his community.

“It was definitely tough. Even though my family wasn’t directly involved, we knew people who got hurt and it was just tough in general,” Luzardo said. “I’m excited for what’s to come and represent for Stoneman Douglas.”