Update: At Least 17 Dead Following Florida High School Shooting

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter has officially been identified as former student Nicolas Cruz, 19. According to a report from the Miami Herald, he was flagged as a threat in the past.

“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.”

Gard also said the school administration sent out a warning about Cruz. The email told teachers that Cruz made threats against people in the past and that “he should not be allowed on the campus with a backpack.”

One student was familiar with Cruz and provided the following information:

One unnamed student told TV station WSVN, channel 7, that he knew the shooter from when they were both in alternative school.

“He’s been a troubled kid and he’s always had a certain amount of issues going on. He shot guns because he felt it gave him, I guess, an exhilarating feeling,” he told the Miami Fox affiliate.

“I stayed clear of him most of the time … I did not want to be with him at all because I didn’t want to cause any conflict with him, because of the impression he gave off,” the student told WSVN.

We’re still learning more details on the horrific aftermath. Officials have confirmed that at least 17 people are dead.

BREAKING: Sheriff: 17 dead in shooting at high school in South Florida.

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

Sheriff Scott Israel (Update 2)
*17 dead
*12 in the building
*2 outside
*1 on the street
*2 in the hospital

— Craig Stevens (@cstevenson7) February 14, 2018

Now 17 dead. #florida

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 14, 2018

Broward County Sheriff: 17 dead, urging public to say something if they see obsession with violence, disturbing behavior, etc.

— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) February 14, 2018

Broward County Sheriff: 17 dead – 12 victims within the building, 2 just outside the building, 1 on nearby street, 2 died at the hospital

— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) February 14, 2018

Devastating.

Sadly, liberals are already shouting about gun control, as if that could’ve prevented this. No. It’s not a gun problem. It’s a heart problem. Besides, schools are already gun free zones. Here are Sen. Rubio’s thoughts on that:

.@marcorubio on reaction to FL school shooting: "People don't know how this happened: who this person is, what motivated them…I think it's important to know all of that before you jump to conclusions that there's some law that we could have passed that could have prevented it." pic.twitter.com/jmIOBGAiVx

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 14, 2018

He’s right. Everyone needs to stop jumping to conclusions. I know this is terrible and everyone immediately wants to DO something, but shouting “GUN CONTROL NOW” doesn’t do a darn thing. That’s not the answer, and it never will be.