Florida shooting: Mother makes impassioned plea for 'action' from Donald Trump as funerals for victims begin - as it happened

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Florida school student thanks Geography teacher who saved her

New details are emerging about Nikolas Cruz, 19, the teenager suspected of carrying out America's latest deadly mass shooting as the country once more finds itself reeling in horror from another eruption of gun violence.

Students and teachers at the Marjory Stoneman District School in Parkland, Florida, are struggling to come to terms with the shock attack on Valentine's Day that saw a masked gunman enter its grounds bearing smoke grenades and kill 17 people with an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle, injuring many others.

As attention turns towards the identity of his victims and the heroism of those who survived the attack, America once again finds itself asking difficult questions about the future of its gun control laws. But Donald Trump has looked to place the blame on mental health provisions – apparently suggesting in a tweet that people who knew the killer should have done more to report him to the authorities.

You can follow the latest updates on the atrocity's aftermath below:

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Key Points

• New details emerge about 19-year-old suspect Nikolas Cruz after latest deadly mass shooting
• Debate once more turns focus on gun control
• Stories of heroism shared about the pupils and teachers who risked their lives to save others
• Victims of Valentine's Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman District High School set to be named

[16 February 2018 17:10 · Steve Anderson]

At a blood drive being held at the Broward Performing Arts Centre in Ft Lauderdale, an alumna of Stoneman Douglas High School, Devon Walsh told The Independent: “I don’t have a whole lot of money but I can give this." 

Ms Walsh, 30, a local government worker, said she was shocked to see her alma mater in the middle of such carnage. 

She said the images from Parkland haunt her and made her worry about whether her 3-year-old son will be safe when she sends him to the local public school.

[16 February 2018 17:11 · Steve Anderson]

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[16 February 2018 17:22 · Steve Anderson]

The White House refuses to release photo of Trump signing bill that made it easier for people with a mental illness to buy guns

[16 February 2018 17:50 · Steve Anderson]

The FBI have issued a statement regarding a tip they received about the suspected gunman. 

According to the bureau, on 5 January 2018 "a person close to" Mr Cruz called the FBI to report the 19-year-old's "gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behaviour, and social media posts, as the potential of him conducting a school shooting." 

The FBI admitted the tip should have been "assessed as a potential threat to life." 

The error occurred when the information was not passed on to the Miami field office for further investigation. 

Director Christopher Wray said in the statement: "I am deeply committed to getting to the bottom of what happened....we have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes." 

He urged all Americans to remain "vigilant" and reiterated the bureau's commitment to keeping the country safe. 

There was another tip the bureau received last year about Mr Cruz. Ben Bennight, a Mississippi bail bondsman, was alarmed and had contacted the FBI when he saw that someone using the name "nikolascruz" left a comment on his YouTube video that read: 'I'm going to be a professional school shooter'.

In the wake of the shooting, an official had said the tip procedure for that was also being reviewed. 

The FBI has not responded to requests for comment on that matter. 

[16 February 2018 18:00 · Steve Anderson]

[16 February 2018 18:17 · Steve Anderson]

[16 February 2018 19:12 · Steve Anderson]

The family of 14-year-old victim Alyssa Alhadeff has called on Mr Trump to address the epidemic of gun violence, particularly in schools around the country. 

The Parkland shooting was the 18th mass shooting in the US this year. 

Alyssa's mother Lori has appeared on television a number of times in the last few days despite her obvious grief and made passionate pleas for "action" on gun control. 

The family held a funeral for Alyssa, the first for one of the 17 victims. 

Meadow Pollack, 18, was the next victim to be buried. Both girls were laid to rest at the Garden of Aaron at Star of David Memorial Gardens in North Lauderdale, Florida. 

Brian Gately, a friend of the Alhadeff family, said he attended Alyssa's funeral and that the synagogue was so packed he had to stand in the rear.

[16 February 2018 19:50 · Steve Anderson]

[16 February 2018 20:02 · Steve Anderson]

One of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has gotten attention in the last few days for her tweet responses to Mr Trump. 

Sarah had written: “I don’t want your condolences...Do something instead of sending your prayers.”

She deleted her tweet and apologised for her use of profanity in it, but later wrote separately: “I’m thankful for everyone’s thoughts and condolences, but please take your anger and sorrowfulness and direct it towards congress.”

Now Sarah would like to meet the President "face to face" to discuss her views on gun control if he comes to Parkland to speak. 

Several of the school students have been vocal about their terrifying experience and the need to urgently address the issue of access to firearms. 

[16 February 2018 20:35 · Steve Anderson]