Nikolas Cruz

Mass Murderer

Nikolas Cruz and the 2018 Parkland School Massacre

Background

Nikolas Jacob Cruz was 19 years old when he carried out a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. Cruz had previously attended the school but was no longer enrolled when he returned to the campus armed with a semiautomatic rifle. In less than seven minutes, he murdered 17 students and employees and wounded 17 other people. Cruz had experienced behavioral and disciplinary problems for years. School records, law-enforcement contacts and later court testimony documented disturbing statements, violent fixations, threats and repeated mental-health concerns. He had been transferred between schools and ultimately expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. People who knew him described troubling behavior involving weapons and cruelty toward animals, although accounts of individual incidents varied. Authorities had received warnings before the massacre. In September 2017, a comment posted under Cruz's name on YouTube stated that he intended to become a professional school shooter. The comment was reported to the FBI, but investigators were unable to identify the person who posted it. On January 5, 2018, less than six weeks before the attack, another caller contacted the FBI and warned that Cruz possessed firearms, was behaving erratically and might conduct a school shooting. The information was not forwarded to the FBI's Miami field office for further investigation.

The Attack on February 14, 2018

On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 14, 2018, Cruz traveled by ride-share vehicle to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at 5901 Pine Island Road in Parkland. He carried a rifle and loaded magazines concealed inside a rifle bag. He arrived shortly before classes were scheduled to end and entered Building 12, a three-story classroom building commonly called the freshman building. At approximately 2:21 p.m., Cruz entered a stairwell, removed a Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II rifle from the bag and began moving through the building. He opened fire through classroom doors and into hallways on the first floor. Students and teachers attempted to shelter inside classrooms, hide behind furniture or flee from the sound of gunfire. Cruz then climbed to the second and third floors. On the third floor, he fired at students and employees trapped in the hallway as they attempted to evacuate. A fire alarm had activated during the attack, adding to the confusion because students initially believed they were participating in another emergency procedure. The shooting ended at approximately 2:27 p.m. Cruz abandoned his rifle, vest and ammunition inside the building. He left the campus by blending into groups of fleeing students. The entire attack lasted only a few minutes, but it left 17 people dead and 17 others wounded.

The Victims

Fourteen students and three members of the school staff were murdered on February 14, 2018. All were attacked at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Some died inside Building 12, while others died outside the building, during transportation or after reaching a hospital.

• Alyssa Alhadeff, 14 A freshman and competitive soccer player who was killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, 2018.
• Scott Beigel, 35 A geography teacher and cross-country coach who was killed after helping students enter the safety of his classroom on February 14, 2018.
• Martin Duque Anguiano, 14 A freshman who was killed inside the school on February 14, 2018.
• Nicholas Dworet, 17 A senior and accomplished competitive swimmer who had committed to attend the University of Indianapolis. He was killed on February 14, 2018.
• Aaron Feis, 37 An assistant football coach and school security monitor who responded to the shooting and attempted to protect students. He died from his wounds on February 14, 2018.
• Jaime Guttenberg, 14 A freshman and dancer who was killed while attempting to escape from Building 12 on February 14, 2018.
• Christopher Hixon, 49 The school's athletic director, wrestling coach and military veteran. He was killed after moving toward the danger in an effort to help students on February 14, 2018.
• Luke Hoyer, 15 A freshman who was killed inside the school on February 14, 2018.
• Cara Loughran, 14 A freshman who was killed during the attack on February 14, 2018.
• Gina Montalto, 14 A freshman, artist and member of the school's marching band who died after being shot on February 14, 2018.
• Joaquin Oliver, 17 A senior known to friends as "Guac" who was killed on the third floor of Building 12 on February 14, 2018.
• Alaina Petty, 14 A freshman, Junior ROTC member and community volunteer who was killed on February 14, 2018.
• Meadow Pollack, 18 A senior who had planned to attend Lynn University. She was killed on the third floor while attempting to protect another student on February 14, 2018.
• Helena Ramsay, 17 A senior who was killed inside the school on February 14, 2018.
• Alex Schachter, 14 A freshman and member of the school marching band who was killed while seated inside a classroom on February 14, 2018.
• Carmen Schentrup, 16 A senior, National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and accomplished student who was killed on February 14, 2018.
• Peter Wang, 15 A freshman and Junior ROTC cadet who was killed while helping other students escape on February 14, 2018.

...

Confirmed Victims: (17)

Alyssa Alhadeff 14 yr old Female

Nikolas Cruz