At least 17 people have been killed in a shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, police say. The suspect has been named as Nicolas Cruz, 19, and is a former student at the school who had been expelled.
He reportedly pulled the fire alarm and caused chaos in the school before he started shooting, law enforcement officials told CBS News.
Students were forced to hide in classrooms as police scoured the building.
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters that Cruz had used a rifle and had “countless magazines”.
He said the shooting spree began outside the school where three people were killed. Cruz then entered the building and killed 12 people.
Two people later died after being taken to hospital.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the local public school district tweeted: “Today, close to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s dismissal, students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire.
“The school immediately went on lockdown but is now dismissing students.”
Police were clearing students from the school “one building at a time”, the school said.
Video footage from the scene showed students being evacuated in small groups, while armed police patrolled the school’s perimeter.
As the situation unfolded, helicopter footage appeared to show a person being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.
Coral Springs Police department tweeted instructions to teachers and students to “remain barricaded inside until police reach you”.
Police are working an active shooter scene, and ask that if you are in touch with your student you ask that they remain calm and barricaded until police come to their room, this is for everyone's safety. Do NOT call our 911 or non-emergency number unless it is an emergency.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14, 2018
US television networks reported large numbers of parents had gathered outside the police perimeter.
Several witnesses inside the building at the time told news outlets that the fire alarm had been set off as the shooting began.
One student evacuated from the school told CBS that Miami students had thought it was a drill.
“We already had one earlier this morning… and then we heard gunshots; some students thought it was not that serious.”
Another student, Bailey Vosberg, said: “I heard what sounded like fireworks and I looked at my friend and he asked me if I heard that.”
“Immediately, I knew. I didn’t say anything to him, I just hopped over the fence and I went straight to the road that our school is located on – and as I got there there was just Swat cars and police units, police vehicles just flying by, helicopters over the top of us.”
A teacher told WSVN that she hid in a closet with 19 students for 40 minutes – and that the school had undergone training for such a situation six weeks ago.
President Donald Trump tweeted condolences “to the families of the victims”. White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said the president had been briefed and that the White House was monitoring the situation.
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
Florida Governor Rick Scott said he spoke to President Trump about the shooting, and was continuing to receive updates from law enforcement.
Congressman Ted Deutch, the district’s representative, tweeted: “I’m sick about this news from home. Just spoke with the sheriff. This is devastating.”
I've heard from parents today about just how horrific this incident has been for their children and family.
To those who are struggling to cope what's happening, know that our entire S FL community stands beside you ready to do whatever we can to help. #stonemanshooting— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) February 14, 2018
He said it was an “incredible school in my district – great teachers and staff, involved parents and amazing kids. Spoke with the kids there just a few weeks back.”
Students were taken by bus to a “staging area” on Heron Bay Boulevard, Coral Springs, where their parents could collect them.
Wednesday’s attack is the 18th shooting in the US this year on or around school premises, according to research by Everytown for Gun Safety.
Since 2013, there have been 291 reported school shootings in America, which averages out to about one per week.
