GUILTY FL - 17 killed in Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Parkland, 14 Feb 2018 #4 *Arrest*

[JerseyGirl]

The attorney for suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel asked the state Tuesday to limit “emotional evidence” at the upcoming trial where he’ll seek to win back his job following last month’s suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis over the sheriff’s handling of the mass shooting in Parkland.

Leave 'emotional evidence' out of suspended Sheriff Scott Israel's trial to restore job, his attorney says

 

[JerseyGirl]

Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz is due back in court for a status hearing on his death penalty case.

The hearing is set Thursday afternoon in Broward County Circuit Court.

Florida school shooting suspect due back in court

 

[YESorNO]

Judge wants early 2020 trial in Parkland school shooting
Suspect Nikolas Cruz back in court for hearing Thursday

February 21, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Trial should begin in early 2020 for the suspect in a Florida high school massacre that left 17 people dead last year, a judge said at a hearing Thursday.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said she intends to set a definitive trial date soon for 20-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who faces the death penalty if convicted. No exact date has yet been set, and even aiming for the first part of 2020 would be quick for such a high-profile murder case.

But Scherer told lawyers that would prevent things from getting bogged down.

"I'm asking both sides to take that into account. Pace yourselves," she said. "I just ask you to keep that in mind as a goal moving forward."

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Marcus said prosecutors and defense attorneys are working as rapidly as possible to identify and interview witnesses, sort through evidence and begin planning what would likely be the biggest trial in recent Broward County history - if not ever...."

Judge wants early 2020 trial in Parkland school shooting

 

[YESorNO]

Stoneman Douglas watchman questioned by lawyers for victim’s father

Feb 25, 2019

"Andrew Medina, the former watchman criticized for not calling for a “code red” when Nikolas Cruz arrived on the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last year, was questioned for hours Monday by attorneys for the father of one of the victims of the shootings.

After the interview, Medina and his attorney left the interview at 4:30 p.m. with his attorney. Both declined to comment.

Medina was joined at the meeting Monday by former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, the school resource officer who resigned after officials labeled him a coward for not engaging Cruz once the shooting began.

Medina and Cruz are among the people sued by Andrew Pollack, whose daughter, Meadow, was killed on the third floor of the 1200 building at Stoneman Douglas on Feb. 14, 2018.

Pollack made no effort to conceal his contempt for the defendants, calling them “sack of turds” after sitting in the same room with them for 5 1/2 hours...."

Stoneman Douglas watchman questioned by lawyers for victim’s father
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[YESorNO]

Florida Supreme Court orders school safety grand jury

February 25, 2019

"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The Florida Supreme Court is impaneling a statewide grand jury to investigate school safety. Governor Ron DeSantis requested the jury be formed to study safety protocols at districts across Florida in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

The high court orders the grand jury to investigate four key questions. First, whether refusal or failure to follow school-related safety laws results in risk to students. Second, whether public entities are accepting state funds for safety measures but failing to act. Also, whether districts are mismanaging, failing to use, and diverting money solicited for school safety. Lastly, whether school officials violated state law by under-reporting incidents of criminal activity to the Department of Education.

The grand jury will be impaneled for a year and jurors drawn from the Eleventh, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Judicial circuits. Jack B. Tuter, Jr., Chief Judge in and for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, is designated as presiding judge...."

Florida Supreme Court orders school safety grand jury
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[YESorNO]

PREPARING FOR THE WORST

February 25, 2019

"It’s been a year since 19- year old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, taking the lives of 17 students and staff members and contributing to the highest rate of school shooting incidents since 1970. According to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), there were 82 school shooting incidents last year in the United States alone that resulted in 51 fatalities. It’s a new normal that has forced many, including local school administrators, to consider and reexamine what they would do in an active shooter situation.

Santa Monica High School staff began training in active shooter scenarios two years ago. According to Santa Monica High School Principal Antonio M. Shelton, “Our district has developed age-appropriate discussion topics for all grade levels. Each homeroom teacher has had discussions with their student as to scenarios and procedures. We have updated our lockdown procedures to reflect current lessons learned. Our PTSA has provided all classrooms with lockdown door window shades. Santa Monica High School is participating in a pilot electronic door locking system to be installed this summer. We have added a visitor badging system to our front gate check-in.” ..."

https://smmirror.com/2019/02/preparing-for-the-worst/
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[YESorNO]

South Florida Sun Sentinel‏Verified account @SunSentinel 7h7 hours ago
Parkland shooter's brother Zachary Cruz to appear on Dr. Oz show https://trib.al/7OqDeJp

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Brother Of Confessed Parkland Killer Appears On "The Dr. Oz" Show

Feb 26, 2019

"The younger brother of the confessed Parkland killer is speaking out on the "Dr. Oz Show" today. 19-year-old Zachary Cruz says he wanted to do something positive after the tragedy, so he set up anti-bullying hotline called WIN -"We Isolate No One". He says they've already logged more than 800 calls from concerned teens.Cruz also says he wants to speak to the relatives of the victims directly, if they would give him that opportunity. He says they deserve to ask him questions and to hear from him directly. Cruz says there were signs he must have missed before the Parkland shooting and he's torn between loving his brother and hating him for what he did at the same time. Cruz was put on probation for trespassing at Stoneman Douglas High School about a month after the massacre. He moved to Virginia last year."

Brother Of Confessed Parkland Killer Appears On "The Dr. Oz" Show | NewsRadio WIOD
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[YESorNO]

Depositions Begin For Andrew Medina, Scot Peterson In Parkland Shooting Civil Case (with clip)

February 25, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Depositions are underway in a high profile civil case stemming from the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Andrew Pollack is suing former campus monitor Andrew Media and former school resource officer Scot Peterson.

Pollack is saying that the two men did nothing to stop gunman Nikolas Crus from killing his daughter, Meadow, as well as 16 others...."

Depositions Begin For Andrew Medina, Scot Peterson In Parkland Shooting Civil Case
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[YESorNO]

Stoneman Douglas School Resource Officer Scot Peterson Deposed In Parkland Civil Suit (with clip)

February 26, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Tuesday marked the second day of depositions in the high profile civil case stemming from the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

On Monday, former campus monitor Andrew Medina was deposed.

Scot Peterson’s deposition was Tuesday at the Broward County Courthouse.

Peterson was the school resource deputy at Stoneman Douglas who never went into the building to confront confessed shooter Nikolas Cruz.

Parkland father Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was murdered at MSD last February, is suing.

He was present at both days of deposition."

Stoneman Douglas School Resource Officer Scot Peterson Deposed In Parkland Civil Suit
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[YESorNO]

Bill seeks to strip Scot Peterson of retirement benefits
Former school resource deputy failed to act during Parkland shooting

February 27, 2019

"PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - A Florida lawmaker has filed a bill to try to strip former Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Scot Peterson of his retirement benefits.

Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, filed the bill (HB 1091) Tuesday.

The bill seeks to forfeit all of Peterson's rights and benefits under Florida's retirement system "due to his wanton or willful neglect in the performance of his assigned duties."...

Under Roach's bill, Peterson would be forced to forfeit all state benefits, "except the return of any accumulated contributions," upon becoming law."

Bill seeks to strip Scot Peterson of retirement benefits
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Bill (HB 1091)

https://media.local10.com/document_...of benefits_1551286448963_20541294_ver1.0.pdf

 

[YESorNO]

Broward County school board to vote on firing Robert Runcie (with clip)
Critics take issue with his handling of Parkland school shooting

February 27, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Broward County school board will vote next week on whether to fire Superintendent Robert Runcie amid growing criticism over his handling of the Parkland school shooting.

The move to fire Runcie appears on the school board’s agenda for March 5. The request was made by school board member Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last year....

Parents of several victims of the shooting and others in Parkland have been vocal in calling for Runcie’s resignation. Critics say Runcie and other school officials ignored warning signs about the gunman Nikolas Cruz, who was a former student, and didn’t institute safety polices that could have saved lives.

However, Runcie still maintains strong support among other members of the board and among local officials.

On Tuesday, more than 500 people attended a district forum on school safety in Coral Springs, where Runcie addressed calls for his resignation.

"Leadership is not about, in my view, about cutting and run when it gets really tough. Given the fact that this occurred under my watch as superintendent, I need to fix it," Runcie said."

Broward County school board to vote on firing Robert Runcie

 

[YESorNO]

PARKLAND SHOOTING SURVIVOR KYLE KASHUV CONFRONTS SCHOOL OFFICER SCOT (with clip)
PETERSON: ‘YOU LET THOSE KIDS DIE, IT’S DISGUSTING’

2/27/19

"A student survivor from the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has confronted the school’s resource officer, challenging him over his failure to protect pupils and their staff members while a lone gunman rampaged inside.

Kyle Kashuv, a survivor of the February 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, that claimed the lives of 17 people, including students and staff members, just over a year ago, confronted former school resource officer Scot Peterson, asking him why he failed to enter the building and engage shooter Nikolas Cruz.

“Can you explain to me why, like, 17 people died in school? Fourteen kids, 17, while you stood outside with a gun and did absolutely nothing?” the 17-year-old asked Peterson in a charged monologue inside an elevator....

Kashuv, who has taken a pro-gun position following the shooting in Parkland, posted the footage of the confrontation on his Twitter feed to over 283,000 followers. Most of the video, which appears to have been filmed on a cellphone, trains on Peterson, who avoids making eye contact with Kashuv and stares into the middle distance without saying a word. In the footage the camera occasionally pans to Kashuv who mostly speaks off-screen...."

Parkland survivor Kyle Kashuv confronted school officer Scot Peterson telling him: "You let those kids die"

 

[YESorNO]

Board Votes to Retain Stoneman Douglas Superintendent
Florida officials have decided to retain the school superintendent in charge of the district where a shooting massacre happened.

March 5, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The superintendent of the Florida school district where a gunman killed 17 last year weathered an attempt Tuesday to fire him by a board member who lost a daughter in the shooting.

The Broward school board voted 6-3 to retain Superintendent Robert Runcie, rejecting a motion introduced by member Lori Alhadeff , who was elected to the board last year. Alhadeff's 14-year-old daughter Alyssa and 16 others died in the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Runcie supporters and opponents packed the board's meeting room and an overflow area, and security was tight: A police officer escorted Runcie into the building and spectators were checked for weapons....

After the vote, Runcie asked Alhadeff and the other victims' parents to work with him moving forward and to use the tragedy as an opportunity to bring the community together.

"I can't lift the pain of the victims' families but I know pain," Runcie said. He said his mother was shot and wounded while he stood next to her when he was 8 and that he dealt with the loss of several children when he was an educator in Chicago.

"I have witnessed a lot of loss. Grief and anger can really test and wreck your spirit, but you can't let it wreck your life."

About 80 parents and community members addressed the board prior to the vote, with only six speaking in favor of firing Runcie during more than four hours of testimony. The rest said he should be retained because he has improved schools districtwide and reached out to minority communities. His supporters say he has led an academic rebirth in the district and note that the state gave Broward a "B'' in its latest district grades. The state's report took into account a graduation rate of 84 percent, a 10 percentage-point increase over five years....

Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son Alex died in the shooting, was one of the few who spoke against Runcie, saying that not only did his policies allow the shooting but that the district has a lower state grade and graduation rate than its neighboring districts.

"The most important thing the superintendent does, or is supposed to do, is to protect students and our teachers and educate our students and he has failed on all of those counts," Schachter said.

Alhadeff, who has clashed frequently with Runcie since taking office in November, asked the board to look objectively at his performance...."

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...te-on-stoneman-douglas-superintendents-future
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[SeesSeas]

Oh, Florida! Give all those bad teachers a gun — what could go wrong?
March 6, 2019
Long ago, when I was a kid growing up in Florida, I had some teachers who were very good, like the one in the third grade who made everything, even math, seem fun. I also had some who were, shall we say, interesting.
[...]
We have had some teachers who made headlines because they didn’t get along with their students — say, mocking them as both stupid and ugly (“Honey, you look bad every day. Pages will be turning in the yearbook and mirrors will be smashing.”) We had others who made headlines by getting along with their students a little too well, if you know what I mean (buying them alcohol, teaching them about twerking and so forth).

How many bad teachers do we have in Florida? Nobody knows because the state Department of Education refuses to pay attention to this problem.

“We’ve asked for this for years,” my colleague, education reporter Jeff Solochek, told me. “How many teachers have been arrested for sex with students? How many for being drunk on campus? The answer consistently has been, we don’t keep track of that.”
[...]
Now think about this as the Legislature pushes to add one more thing to this mix: Guns. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, state legislators want to make schools safer by arming Florida’s teachers -- even though nobody knows how many are "interesting" teachers and likely to misuse those guns in some way. Gee, what could possibly go wrong?
[...]

 

[human]

PREPARING FOR THE WORST

February 25, 2019

"It’s been a year since 19- year old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, taking the lives of 17 students and staff members and contributing to the highest rate of school shooting incidents since 1970. According to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), there were 82 school shooting incidents last year in the United States alone that resulted in 51 fatalities. It’s a new normal that has forced many, including local school administrators, to consider and reexamine what they would do in an active shooter situation.

Santa Monica High School staff began training in active shooter scenarios two years ago. According to Santa Monica High School Principal Antonio M. Shelton, “Our district has developed age-appropriate discussion topics for all grade levels. Each homeroom teacher has had discussions with their student as to scenarios and procedures. We have updated our lockdown procedures to reflect current lessons learned. Our PTSA has provided all classrooms with lockdown door window shades. Santa Monica High School is participating in a pilot electronic door locking system to be installed this summer. We have added a visitor badging system to our front gate check-in.” ..."

https://smmirror.com/2019/02/preparing-for-the-worst/
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This is totally idiotic. What kind of country is this that we accept this as normal

 

[human]

Oh, Florida! Give all those bad teachers a gun — what could go wrong?
March 6, 2019
Long ago, when I was a kid growing up in Florida, I had some teachers who were very good, like the one in the third grade who made everything, even math, seem fun. I also had some who were, shall we say, interesting.
[...]
We have had some teachers who made headlines because they didn’t get along with their students — say, mocking them as both stupid and ugly (“Honey, you look bad every day. Pages will be turning in the yearbook and mirrors will be smashing.”) We had others who made headlines by getting along with their students a little too well, if you know what I mean (buying them alcohol, teaching them about twerking and so forth).

How many bad teachers do we have in Florida? Nobody knows because the state Department of Education refuses to pay attention to this problem.

“We’ve asked for this for years,” my colleague, education reporter Jeff Solochek, told me. “How many teachers have been arrested for sex with students? How many for being drunk on campus? The answer consistently has been, we don’t keep track of that.”
[...]
Now think about this as the Legislature pushes to add one more thing to this mix: Guns. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, state legislators want to make schools safer by arming Florida’s teachers -- even though nobody knows how many are "interesting" teachers and likely to misuse those guns in some way. Gee, what could possibly go wrong?
[...]

There will be no mouthing off at school. Who knows how angry the teacher can get

 

[YESorNO]

Parkland shooting: Suspended sheriff sues Florida governor

March 7th 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida sheriff who was suspended by the governor and accused of failing to prevent the Parkland school shooting filed suit Thursday seeking his job back and alleging Gov. Ron DeSantis improperly ousted him for political reasons.

Suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel argues in the lawsuit that DeSantis "engineered a political power play that interferes with the right of the public to determine their elected official," and says the governor failed to prove that Israel acted incompletely or neglected his duties.

DeSantis, who suspended Israel from his elected position in January and appointed an acting sheriff, had said Israel displayed poor leadership and failed to keep families and children safe before and during the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead....

The Florida Legislature, which has final say on the suspension, is reviewing the matter. The Senate president has appointed a special master to preside over a hearing on the suspension, likely to take place next month...."

Former Broward Sheriff files lawsuit against Gov. DeSantis
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[YESorNO]

How many crimes is a mass shooting? Florida Supreme Court will weigh in.

3/12/19

"There was more than one shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018.

More than 100 bullets were fired. Hundreds of people were traumatized. Seventeen were critically injured. Seventeen more were killed.

The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to take on a case with huge ramifications for the Parkland high school massacre’s victims — is a mass shooting one incident, or many?

The answer could save or cost the state millions of dollars, and not just in Parkland. Insurance companies say mass shootings qualify as a single incident, capping the state’s liability at $300,000 to be divided among all the victims.

But if the court rules that they are separate incidents, the state’s liability becomes $200,000 for each victim, from the families of the murdered to the survivors of bullet wounds and even to those who were physically unharmed but still traumatized by the terror of Nikolas Cruz’s bloody rampage.

The case before the Supreme Court does not involve Parkland — it was brought in Palm Beach County against the Florida Department of Children and Families, which had investigated a Riviera Beach resident named Patrick Dell in 2009 for threatening his wife and stepchildren with a knife.

Dell went on to fatally shoot his wife and four of his stepchildren, then himself. A fifth stepchild survived.

The lawsuit was filed by the biological father of three of the murdered children. The father of the other children has filed a separate lawsuit and is making identical arguments.

“The same issues apply in the Parkland case,” said John McLuskey, one of the attorneys for Palm Beach plaintiff Michael Barnett. “These were separate shootings at separate locations at separate times. Every time he walked to find the next victim and raised his weapon, that’s a separate incident.”...

Lawmakers have already signaled a willingness to open the coffers for the victims of Parkland — a bill to create a $160 million fund for the families of the dead and physically wounded is making its way through the Legislature in Tallahassee.

The funds would be available to those who do not sue the state. So far, the Broward School Board and the Broward Sheriff’s Office have each received nearly 80 notices of intent to sue from attorneys representing various victims, including the traumatized.

Barnett’s lawyers have until April 1 to present its argument in writing to the Florida Supreme Court. After that, the state has 30 days to respond.

Oral arguments would be set at a later date."

How many crimes is a mass shooting? Florida Supreme Court will weigh in.

 

[YESorNO]

Florida Supreme Court takes up mass shootings liability case; Parkland parents expected to weigh in

Mar 15, 2019

"TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Supreme Court has called for initial arguments in a case that could have a far- reaching liability impact on survivors of mass shootings, including those who survived last year's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.

An amicus brief by parents of 18 Parkland shooting victims also appears to be pending, based on the parents' previous notice filed with the Supreme Court.

The court announced Tuesday it had accepted jurisdiction in the case, Michael Barnett v. Florida Department of Financial Services, and ordered an initial brief on the merits be served by April 1 with other briefs to follow over the next couple of months. Barnett asks the high court whether a mass shooting constitutes more than a single event when determining legal liability.

"As jurisdiction has been accepted in the above cause, any movant who wishes to follow through on a previously-filed notice of intent to appear as amicus or amici curiae must now proceed," the court said Tuesday.

Confessed killer Nikolas Cruz's shooting at the school on Valentine's Day 2018 left 17 dead and 17 wounded. Court documents suggested potentially thousands more were left traumatized.....

... the parents of 18 Parkland shooting victims, including Lori Alhadeff and her husband Ilan, filed notice with the state Supreme Court that they would file an amicus brief in Barnett.

"The Fourth District Court of Appeal's opinion certifying the question to this court seems to have had the Parkland parents prominently in mind," the parents said in their notice. "They have had the collective misfortune of having been touched indelibly by one the 'high-profile mass shootings' the court referenced and have filed, or given notice of their intent to file, 'negligence complaints against state agencies.' The Parkland Parents therefore have a direct interest in the question presented.""

Florida Supreme Court takes up mass shootings liability case; Parkland parents expected to weigh in
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FloridaSupremeCourt‏Verified account @flcourts


Parents of 18 Parkland shooting victims file notice of intent to file amicus brief in @flcourts case on liability issues in mass killings, Michael Barnett v. Florida Department of Financial Services. https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/

6:30 AM - 30 Jan 2019 from Florida, USA

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Michael Barnett v. Florida Department of Financial Services

March 12, 2019

https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jn...A_Barnett_v_FloridaDCF_SupremeCourt_order.pdf
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The 2018 Florida Statutes:
Waiver of Sovereign Immunity Statutes

"768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity in tort actions; recovery limits; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; exclusions; indemnification; risk management programs.—...."

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
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DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA v Michael Barnett
[January 9, 2019]

(Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal certified Barnett to the Supreme Court):

https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jn...LA_Barnett_v_FloridaDCF_certifiedquestion.pdf
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DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA v Michael Barnett
[October 10, 2018]

(court's opinion in Barnett )

https://jnswire.s3.amazonaws.com/jn.../FLA_Barnett_v_FloridaDCF_4thDist_opinion.pdf
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[YESorNO]

WATCH: Confessed Parkland Shooter Nikolas Cruz Talks About ‘Voices & Demons’ During His Arrest (with clip)

Mar 15, 2019

"PARKLAND (CBSMiami) – Nikolas Cruz, the self-confessed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter, says there were demons and voices in his head as police captured and cuffed the killer on the day of the worst school shooting in Florida history.
The State Attorney’s Office released BSO body cam video Friday afternoon.

It gives us a glimpse into the moments right after Nikolas Cruz was arrested from the body camera of Sgt. Gregory Lacerra of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

WATCH THE POLICE BODY CAM VIDEO HERE:...

The video was recorded about 90 minutes after the shooting....

The trial is expected to begin in early 2020 but no exact date has been set."

WATCH: Confessed Parkland Shooter Nikolas Cruz Talks About ‘Voices & Demons’ During His Arrest