Florida shooting 911 audio: ‘Does anyone have any bolt cutters? He’s stuck in the fence’
THE deadly scene of the Florida school massacre that left at least 17 people dead was recently named the safest place in the state.
THE deadly scene of the Florida school mass shooting in the US that left at least 17 people dead after a former student went on a rampage was last year named the state’s “safest city”.
The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland was allegedly carried out by former student, Nikolas Cruz, 19.
Parkland was last year named Florida’s safest city in an analysis by the Washington-based National Council for Home Safety and Security — a home security industry trade association.
But all that changed when Florida police say Cruz walked onto campus wearing a gas mask and armed with an assault rifle, smoke grenades and several magazines of ammunition on Wednesday, local time. He reportedly shot his way into the school building, before deliberately triggering a fire alarm. Students and teachers had started evacuating classrooms as the gunman opened fire on them.
In a recording of a 911 phone call following the incident, a man believed to be a police officer can be heard telling the emergency services operator: “17-Julia-5, I have the gunshot victim ... he’s by the entrance to Westglades on the west side of the school”.
The caller queries if anyone knows “where the shooter is” but doesn’t get a clear response.
“We’re entering the building in front of the 13 building ... 17 killed, 4 and myself are entering,” a man can be heard saying.
“Does anybody have bolt cutters I can get this kid out of the fence. He’s stuck in the fence. I need bolt cutters.
“The coach is with him see if he can help him over the gate.”
Authorities confirmed the death toll, but with dozens more injured, the figure is expected to climb.
The tragic toll makes this the ninth deadliest shooting in US history.
Broward Sheriff Scott Israel described the incident as a “horrific homicidal act” and said 12 people were killed inside the school, two outside the buildings and one other person on the street. Another two victims died in hospital.
“Approximately 14 people were transported to area hospitals with various degrees of injuries, there are multiple causalities, there are folks who have lost their lives,” Mr Israel said.
Mr Israel said both students and adults had been killed and that 12 of them have been identified. He said one of the victims killed was a football coach, and one student injured was a deputy sheriff’s son.
“This is a terrible day for Parkland,” Mr Israel said, speaking of the city of about 30,000 people, located 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Miami.
Coach Aaron Feis — who was once a security guard at the school — was recovering after being shot protecting students from the attack, according to the Miami Herald.
“Coach Feis has not passed. He was shot but is not dead,” Jordan May, a coach at the school, tweeted.
It remains unclear exactly how many people have been shot in total.
Florida police say the shooter opened fire at the school killing “numerous” people.
It sent frightened students running out into the streets as SWAT team members swarmed the building.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the suspected shooter is now in custody, however officers stressed the scene remains active.
RED FLAGS
The shooter, who was previously a student at the school, was identified as a potential threat previously.
Teacher Jim Gard said staff were told Cruz wasn’t allowed on campus with a backpack on.
“There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus,” he said.
Students reportedly heard the fire alarm ring just before gunshots broke out at the end of the school day, adding to initial confusion.
The Sheriff offered few details on the gunman’s motive. “There was a time when he did attend the school,” he said. “I don’t know why he left, I don’t know when he left.”
Mr Israel later said he understood Cruz had been expelled.
He said police were currently dissecting his social media accounts and had uncovered some “disturbing material”.
The sheriff also said the gunman had “countless magazines” and an AR-15 assault rifle.
"I'm saddened to say that 17 people lost their lives."- Sheriff Scott Israel #stonemanshooting
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
Shooter is now in custody. Scene is still active. #stonemanshooting
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
‘CATASTROPHIC, HORRIBLE’
Speaking from the scene, Mr Israel struggled to describe the horror authorities were dealing with.
“It’s a fluid scene and we have multiple SWAT teams clearing the buildings to make sure there are no other shooters,” he said.
According to the Sheriff, the shooter was taken into custody near the area about an hour after opening fire.
He confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
“It’s a terrible day for Parkland, Broward County, the state of Florida and the US,” he said.
“My own triplets graduated here.
“It’s catastrophic, there are really no words.”
HORRIFIC TOLL
Margate Fire Department told CBS Miami there could be as many as 50 victims who were caught up in the shooting.
Fire Chief Dan Booker told the Miami Herald that the situation was a mass casualty incident.
Dr Evan Boyar at Broward Health North said eight victims and the suspect had been brought to his hospital.
Dr Boyar confirmed two victims died, three were in critical condition and three were in stable condition. The suspect was treated before being released to police.
‘UNSPEAKABLE HORROR’
Superintendent of Broward Schools Robert Runcie said the day was “just a horrible day for us.”
Senator Bernie Sanders said the shooting was another example of the need for common sense gun safety legislation.
Mr Sanders tweeted the incident was another “unspeakable horror”.
Another horrific shooting. Another unspeakable horror. My thoughts are with everyone at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after this terrible day.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 14, 2018
The White House confirmed US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation.
“The President has been made aware of the school shooting in Florida,” the White House said. “We are monitoring the situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.”
Both the POTUS and First Lady offered their condolences to the families and victims caught up in the tragedy.
My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018
CHAOS, TEARS
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as desperate parents attempted to reach the school.
One student at the school told CBS4 he was hiding in a closet.
“All of a sudden there was a really loud noise ... people are crying the closet,” the student wrote.
He then asked when police were coming to help them.
A student who was evacuated from the school told CBS News some people didn’t think the incident was that serious at first.
“We already had one earlier this morning ... and then we heard gunshots; some students thought it was not that serious.”
Students were seen racing from the scene as armed authorities surrounded the school, ABC News reported.
There were also unconfirmed reports the gunman wore a gas mask as he entered the school as students were getting ready to leave for the day.
Sources told KNX1070 reporter Craig Fiegener there were concerns surrounding a possible device in a backpack connected to the suspect.
Source says new concern of device on campus on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School-- possibly in a backpack-- connected to the shooting suspect. #schoolshooting
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV) February 14, 2018
Coral Springs Police told concerned parents over Twitter the school remained on lockdown as a precaution.
Worried parents of Douglas HS students, while this is Parkland scene (handled by BSO) we are assisting. We understand you are worried for your children (and nearby Middle School children, which was put on lock down as a precaution).
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14, 2018
Westglades Middle School will be open for the rest of the week. Grief counselors will be at the school for students and staff, as needed.
— Broward Schools (@browardschools) February 15, 2018
ABC News America Host George Stephanopoulos asked one eyewitness how many shots he had heard.
“Too many to count,” the witness replied.
Television footage showed police entering the school buildings and escorting students from the premises.
Some students were seen with their hands raised or clinging onto others.
Many were seen being removed from the scene on stretchers or being escorted to ambulances.
Students sent heartbreaking texts, many unsure if they’d make it home.
HEARTBREAKING: Text message from student to parent during Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting. Thankfully, this child is safe. pic.twitter.com/YPIz1mRUcq
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) February 15, 2018
Len Murray’s 17-year-old son, a junior at 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.”
A few minutes later, to their enormous relief, he texted to say: “I’m fine.”
St. Johns
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 14, 2018
Seattle
Sierra Vista
San Bernardino
Denison
Marshall
Winston-Salem
Italy
Gentilly
Benton
Mobile
Dearborn
Philadelphia
Los Angeles
Oxon Hill
Maplewood
New York
Parklandhttps://t.co/2SC9g0TJpD
It was the 18th shooting in a US school so far this year, according to gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety.
It comes just weeks after two students were killed in the state of Kentucky after a 15-year-old allegedly opened fire on classmates.
At least 17 people were also injured in the attack at Marshall County High School.
— with Wires
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