At Least 17 Killed in School Shooting at Florida High School
Following a shooting at a high school located in southern Florida, at least 17 people have been killed. American authorities have announced the arrest of the 19-year-old shooter, a former student of the school.
Police officials say the bodies of some of the victims have been transferred to hospitals and reports indicate that around 20 people have also been wounded.
Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the incident on February 14, had previously been expelled from the high school he attacked “for disciplinary reasons.” According to reports, he surrendered to police forces without resistance hours after the shooting.
Scott Israel, the Broward County Sheriff, said the shooter was carrying at least one AR-15 rifle and several loaded magazines.
The AR-15 is a semi-automatic and lightweight weapon that bears great resemblance to the military M16 rifle, with the difference that only its semi-automatic version exists. In the United States, its sale to non-military civilians is permitted under law.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, expressed condolences to the families of victims and the injured in a post on his Twitter account, saying “No child, teacher, and no other person should feel unsafe in American schools.”
The Florida incident is the latest example of deadly and widespread gun violence in the United States, and is expected to reignite discussions regarding laws governing gun ownership and carrying in the country.
The recent shooting occurred in the Parkland area, 70 kilometers north of Miami. Several students fled to the streets after hearing the alarm and gunfire. Security and police forces also transported another group to safe areas while providing protection.
Broward County Sheriff says both students and adults have been identified among the victims, and most of them lost their lives inside the high school building.
According to a gun control advocacy campaign in America called “Everytown,” this is the 18th school shooting in the United States in the current calendar year.
Source: Radio Farda
