Latest: 17 dead after Florida high school shooting; suspect 'expelled student'

Update 1am: A gunman has opened fire at a Florida high school, killing 17 people.

Latest: 17 dead after Florida high school shooting; suspect 'expelled student'

Update 1am: A gunman has opened fire at a Florida high school, killing 17 people.

Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County said the 19-year-old suspect is in custody.

The suspect, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, was previously expelled for disciplinary reasons.

Swat teams swarmed the school, and the gunman was arrested without incident off campus.

Television footage showed police putting a person in the back of a police car outside the high school.

The sheriff said the gunman had at least one rifle and multiple magazines, and most of the fatalities were inside the building though some were found outside.

The suspect was later identified as Nicholas Cruz.

There were scenes of students frantically running from the building and ambulance crews treating people outside the school on Wednesday 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."

Update 11.40pm:Seventeen people are dead in the shooting at a South Florida high school, the Broward County Sheriff's Office has said.

Update 10.30pm: At least one reported dead, 'numerous fatalities' feared in Florida high school shooting

At least 14 people have been injured in a shooting at a Florida high school and "multiple fatalities" are feared, US authorities said.

The shooter is in custody, Broward County Sheriff's Office said, after Swat teams swarmed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Television footage showed police putting a person in the back of a police car outside the high school.

Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie said: "There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation."

He added: "It is a horrible day for us."

A woman consoles another as parents wait for news. Photo: AP Photo/Joel Auerbach
A woman consoles another as parents wait for news. Photo: AP Photo/Joel Auerbach

The Florida school shooter is about 18 years old, is not a current student and was arrested without incident off campus, The Broward County Sheriff's Office has said.

Update 9.30pm: Florida high school shooting: Authorities say at least 14 injured

At least 14 people have been injured in a shooting at a Florida high school, US authorities said.

The shooter is in custody, Broward County Sheriff's Office said, after Swat teams swarmed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

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 on Wednesday afternoon.

Broward Sheriff's Office said on Twitter: "So far we have at least 14 victims.

"Victims have been and continue to be transported to Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health North hospital."

Earlier: 8.34pm: Florida high school in lockdown after shooting

A Florida high school has been locked down after a shooting, US authorities said.

The shooting happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

It was not immediately clear how many people were wounded.

Students wait to be picked up after the shooting. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Students wait to be picked up after the shooting. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Coral Springs Police said on Twitter the school was locked down and that students and teachers inside should remain barricaded until police reach them.

TV footage showed at least one person being wheeled to an ambulance while emergency workers appeared to be helping others on the pavement.

The news broadcasts also showed students running across the street.

Len Murray's 17-year-old son, who attends the South Florida high school where shooting was reported, sent his parents a chilling text: "Mom and Dad, there have been shots fired on campus at school. There are police sirens outside. I'm in the auditorium and the doors are locked."

Those words came at 2.30pm local time on Wednesday. A few minutes later, he texted again: "I'm fine."

Family members embrace after a student walked out from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Family members embrace after a student walked out from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Photo: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Mr Murray raced to the school only to be stopped by authorities under an overpass within view of the school buildings in Parkland.

No information was immediately given to parents, Mr Murray said. And he said he remained worried for all those inside.

"I'm scared for the other parents here. You can see the concern in everybody's faces. Everybody is asking, 'Have you hard from your child yet?'"

- PA

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Child, 8, the only survivor as 45 killed in South Africa bus crash Child, 8, the only survivor as 45 killed in South Africa bus crash
Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto
UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited