Broward County (Fla.) Sheriff Scott Israel said Thursday that a deputy was at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while gunman Nikolas Cruz was shooting but “never went in,” even though the officer heard the gunshots and “clearly” knew a gunman was inside the school.
Seventeen people died as a result of the shooting last week.
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“We’re not going to disclose the video at this time, and we may never disclose the video depending on the prosecution and the criminal case. What I saw was a deputy arrive at the west side of building 12, take up a position, and he never went in,” Sheriff Israel said.
BREAKING: Sheriff: Deputy on duty at school where 17 were killed never went inside to engage shooter and has now resigned.
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 22, 2018
JUST IN: Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School resource officer “never went in” to freshman building amid deadly Parkland shooting; “He should have went in. Addressed the killer. Killed the killer.”
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 22, 2018
MORE: Stoneman Douglas school resource officer Scot Peterson resigns amid Broward Sheriff’s Office internal affairs investigation, Sheriff Scott Israel says.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 22, 2018
The deputy, Scott Peterson, was suspended without pay and has since resigned.
“Devastated, sick to my stomach, there are no words,” Israel said.