Florida shooting: 17 dead in 'absolutely pure evil' high school massacre in Parkland - as it happened

The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old former student, who was once expelled from the school

Florida shooting: What we know so far

Seventeen people have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a gunman opened fire at a Florida high school.

Aerial footage showed students streaming out of the school with their hands in the air before dropping their backpacks into a large pile next to police and sitting on nearby grass. Parents were instructed to meet at a location away from the school, where they waited anxiously to be reunited with their children.

The carnage began shortly before school was to be let out at 2.40 pm, when the sound of gunfire ripped through the air.

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Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County said the 19-year-old suspect - identified in media reports as Nikolaus Cruz - is in custody and that investigators are beginning to "dissect" what happened in the attack.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Miami, was placed on a “code red” lock down, and students tweeted and texted from inside about the chaos that had come down upon their school.

Of the fatalities, 12 were killed inside the school, two were killed outside on the campus grounds, one was killed on a road outside of the school, and another two were transported to the hospital but died there.

Sheriff Israel said the suspect, a former student, was previously expelled for disciplinary reasons. Mr Israel added that the gunman had at least one rifle - believed to be an AR-15 - and multiple magazines.

The White House has cancelled its daily press briefing and President Donald Trump has spoken with Florida Governors Rick Scott about the shooting. He said in a tweet that the White House is “working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting.”

He earlier tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump has offered Florida federal assistance, if needed. The homeland security secretary has also been in touch with state and local officials.

Ms Sanders said, “We continue to keep the victims, and their friends and family, in our thoughts and prayers.”

Agencies contributed to this report

Key Points

• 7.14pm ET - Hospitals say that more than a dozen victims had come through their doors with at least three in critical condition
• 6.37pm ET - Sheriff Scott Israel says 17 people have been killed and suspected gunman was in possession of an AR-15 assault rifle
• 5.36pm ET - The suspect is identified in local media as former student Nikolas Cruz
• 4.31pm ET - Both President Trump and First Lady Melania express their condolences about the shooting

[14 February 2018 21:11 · Kristin Hugo]

Welcome to our coverage of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

Here is our latest report:

[14 February 2018 21:17 · Kristin Hugo]

The local Sheriff's Office says that the shooter is now in custody, but scene is still active as police make sure there are no other shooters.

[14 February 2018 21:23 · Kristin Hugo]

The Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools says there have been "numerous" fatalities. He did not confirm exact numbers.

"There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation," Superintendent Robert Runcie said. "It is a horrible day for us." 

[14 February 2018 21:28 · Kristin Hugo]

The Broward Sheriff's Office has reported least 14 victims so far. Victims are being taken to Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health North hospital for treatment.

[14 February 2018 21:31 · Kristin Hugo]

First Lady Melania Trump has tweeted about the shooting, saying her "heart is heavy". Donald Trump tweeted his condolences earlier, adding that "No child, teacher or anyone else should feel unsafe in an American school".

[14 February 2018 21:52 · Kristin Hugo]

Students have been released from the high school and are being escorted out to reunite with their families, according to the school district.

Students reportedly hid in classrooms until they were rescued by police in tactical gear, friends and family members said.

According to the Associated Press, one student texted his parents during the shooting, writing: "Mom and Dad, there have been shots fired on campus at school. There are police sirens outside. I'm in the auditorium and the doors are locked." 

[14 February 2018 22:03 · Kristin Hugo]

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says the shooter was approximately 18 years old, but was not a current student at the school.

"It's catastrophic. There really are no words," the sheriff said.

[14 February 2018 22:10 · Kristin Hugo]

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, a prominent advocate for gun control, has spoken out about the shooting on the Senate floor.

"This happens nowhere else other than the United States of America – this epidemic of mass slaughter, this scourge of school shooting after school shooting," Mr Murphy said. "It only happens here not because of coincidence, not because of bad luck, but as a consequence of our inaction. We are responsible."

The senator represents the area where the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place in 2012.

[14 February 2018 22:14 · Kristin Hugo]

Sheriff Scott Israel says the suspect was apprehended off campus, and may have been a former student.

Mr Israel told CNN that he had spoken to Mr Trump, who offered the resources of the federal government.

[14 February 2018 22:18 · Kristin Hugo]

Some photos of the suspect being arrested are available now, from Reuters: