by Lucy Kuchma ’18

Nikolas Cruz exited his Uber and entered the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) at 2:19 pm on Thursday. Within minutes, the 19-year old who was formerly expelled from MSD pulled out a semi automatic AR-15 rifle, placed a gas mask over his face, and began shooting at students on the school grounds before moving into hallways and into five classrooms. He also had smoke grenades on him that he never used but likely intended to as indicated by the gas mask. He then ditched the weapon, vest, and ammunition in a stairwell and blended in with the crowds of students running out of the building. He made his way to a Walmart, a Subway, and a McDonalds and was arrested at quarter to 4 pm walking down a residential street a few miles from the high school.

In the week that followed, the tragedy has resonated, as it has become evident that many processes, organizations, and persons failed to prevent or mitigate the shooting, although there were countless signs and reports that should have resulted in preventative measures.

The prior school year, administration met with teachers to explain that Cruz should not be allowed to carry a backpack following a suspension for “disciplinary reasons.” If he were seen with one on school property, they were to report it. The student had over 10 other disciplinary infractions with the high school that resulted in more than one suspension and numerous detentions.

The suspect’s Instagram page features a collection of photos in which he holds pistols and knives. On his profile, he also referred to himself as an “annihilator.” His peers remarked on his profile, calling it “scary” because he “only talked about guns.”

Local police visited Cruz’s residence dozens of times in the year leading up to the shooting, but there is no indication that officers took any criminal action against the youth.

Six months ago, a user by the name of “Nikolas Cruz” commented on a YouTube video, “I am going to be a professional school shooter.” The FBI received a tip from the user who posted the video, and assured him a follow-up would ensue. The bureau has traced further tips from local residents as recently as January that Cruz had a sincere “desire to kill people,” but the information never prompted an investigation.

The state social services agency, The Florida Department of Children and Families, investigated Cruzś well-being in late 2016 after he posted about cutting himself on social media, but investigators determined he was not at risk of harming himself or others.

While the shooting was taking place, armed sheriff’s deputy, Scot Peterson, on post at the Florida School refrained from entering the building, although police protocol calls for immediate entry to the scene and confrontation of active shooters. Peterson resigned after being suspended on the grounds of “failing to carry out protocol.” His lawyer, Joseph DiRuzzo, has since issued a statement, saying, “The allegations that Mr. Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue.” He explained that Peterson refrained from entering the premises because “it sounded like the gunshots were coming from outside,” which, of course, would not constitute entry to the building.

From teachers and administrators to social services to the FBI, many major red flags were reported, but ultimately, the youth remained unpursued.

The Parkland shooting has made countless headlines beyond the information regarding the incident. Survivors from Marjory Stoneman have made their voices heard, discussing the topic of more restrictive gun legislation in hopes that lawmakers will listen to young people, affected by a horrific national tragedy and passionate about their cause.

NRA leader, Wayne LaPierre, accused Democrats of exploiting the Parkland shooting to promote a gun control agenda in his February 22 speech to a conservative convention. LaPierre went on to put the left under fire for their advocacy for a “socialist principle” and their tendency to “smear the NRA.”
“To stop a bad guy with a gun, it takes a good guy with a gun” said LaPierre. Regarding proponents of gun control, he commented, “They hate the NRA. They hate the Second Amendment. They hate individual freedom.”

The speech came one day after President Trump outlined a new increased-security system for background checks, increasing the age limit for purchasing semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21, and allowing some teachers to keep firearms on their person on school campuses.

In the wake of the shooting, a CBS poll yielded 65 percent of Americans support stricter gun laws, but over 50 percent of those surveyed claimed they had low confidence there would be any movement on the issue. The poll further revealed that 87% of Americans support increased funding for mental health screenings, 75% support strengthening background checks, 56% support a ban on bump stocks (a device that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire at the speed of fully automatic weapons, as used in the Vegas shooting last October), and 53% support a nationwide ban on the AR-15, which has been used in the Vegas, Orlando, Newtown, Texas, and Parkland shootings.