Florida Shooter Is A Former Student Who May Have Been Identified As A ‘Potential Threat’ In The Past

The suspect has been taken into custody. The Broward Co. Sheriff said the suspect is a former student. He hasn’t been publicly identified, but a “law-enforcement source” identified him as Nicolas Cruz. I’ve seen reports that he’s either 18 or 19 years old. Word has it he may have been identified as a potential threat in the past.

BREAKING NEWS: Picture of the shooter who has been identified as Nicolas de Jesus Cruze, 19 years old. pic.twitter.com/b213QSsoxd

— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) February 14, 2018

Via the Miami Herald:

The 19-year-old ex-student, who has been detained by Broward police, has not been publicly identified as a suspect. But a law-enforcement source identified him as Nicolas Cruz.

“We were told last year that he wasn’t allowed on campus with a backpack on him,” said math teacher Jim Gard, who said Cruz had been in his class last year. “There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus.”

The Broward County School District Superintendent, however, told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that he did not know of any concerns raised about the student.

“We received no warnings,” Superintendent Robert Runcie told reporters outside the school. “Potentially there could have been signs out there. But we didn’t have any warning or phone calls or threats that were made.”

As for Gard, he said he believes the school administration earlier sent out an e-mail warning teachers that the student had made threats against others in the past and that he should not be allowed on the campus with a backpack.

Absolutely chilling.

Here are more updates:

#PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING:
– At least 7 dead
– Many wounded
– Suspect in custody
– Identified as Nicolas de Jesus Cruz, 18-19 yo.
– Was not a current student
– Used ‘long’ rifle
– Started fire alarm prior to shooting
– Scene remains active

— BNL NEWS (@BreakingNLive) February 14, 2018

"It's just catastrophic," Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says of shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. "There really are no words." https://t.co/1Y5NBGZMdE pic.twitter.com/wH0xJMwkha

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 14, 2018

Superintendent of #Broward county schools says shooter was a former student. There are numerous casualties. The suspect is in custody. #Parkland pic.twitter.com/XYoRfmShYz

— Nick Short 🇺🇸 (@PoliticalShort) February 14, 2018

BREAKING: Sheriff: Florida school shooter about 18 years old, not a current student, arrested without incident off campus.

— The Associated Press (@AP) February 14, 2018

JUST IN: Florida high school shooting suspect is former student, "multiple" deaths, sheriff confirms. https://t.co/rVewl2l4vV

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 14, 2018

Also, there’s this, via Carmine Sabia:

BREAKING: NOT CONFIRMED. This appears to be the shooters Instagram. pic.twitter.com/fSvyWO6YhT

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 14, 2018

CONFIRMED: This is a screenshot of the Instagram account of Parkland Florida shooter Nicholas Cruz before it was taken offline. pic.twitter.com/1rR65sLWZo

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 14, 2018

BREAKING: This is a screenshot I took of Parkland Florida shooter Nicholas Cruz Instagram account before it was taken offline. Notice the phrase #AllahuAkbar. pic.twitter.com/S6USWrUWbR

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 14, 2018

Parkland Florida shooter Nicholas Cruz could have been motivated by anti-Muslim bigotry. A screenshot with racist term for Muslims from his Instagram page. pic.twitter.com/5XLf23chrF

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 14, 2018

Nicholas Cruz was flagged as a troubled student. Had issues with the law. Doubt he was the legal owner of the gun. Who gave this kid, who has known behavior issues, access to the gu? The NRA did not shoot anyone.

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 14, 2018

We’ll continue to update you. This is all so heartbreaking.