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Why did Nikolas Cruz become the most notorious gunman in American history?
On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others. This shocking shooting is the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history. Cruz, a former student at the school, fled the scene after the killing and was eventually arrested by police nearby.
The incident refocused the nation's attention on gun control and led to the "Never Again" advocacy movement.
The shooting occurred amid a tense public atmosphere, as social support for gun control continued to rise following a number of shootings across the United States in 2017. At the time, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a new bill that placed new restrictions on gun sales and allowed teachers with appropriate training to carry guns into schools.
However, the incident exposed the police department's flaws in handling crises. The Broward County Sheriff's Office has been criticized for failing to respond promptly to multiple warnings about Cruz. The failure to immediately stop the suspect led to the resignation of several law enforcement officials, and Cruz's case ultimately triggered legal reforms across the country.
The overall police response and aftermath was criticized, and this led to advocacy for further safety measures.
Details of the shooting
At 2:19 pm on February 14, 2018, Cruz was dropped off at school by an Uber driver. Over the next few minutes, he walked across campus, entered Building 12, and then fired a feint, targeting innocent students, faculty, and staff. During the process, Cruz quickly assembled his weapon in accordance with campus security measures.
The entire shooting incident lasted only about 6 minutes, and all the victims were shot within just 4 minutes.
During this shooting event, Cruz shot 14 students and three faculty members with his AR-15 rifle, causing a large number of heavy casualties. Shocked students and staff were unable to respond quickly, and there was confusion among school officials about when to issue a red alert.
Legal Process and Victims
According to the investigation, Cruz’s social media violently showed his abnormal behavior and violent tendencies. In February 2018, he was officially arrested. Cruz admitted all charges on October 20, 2021 and apologized for his actions.
Countless warnings to Cruz were predictably ignored, raising questions about all measures involved.
In December, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, which means he will spend his entire life in prison. Since then, reflections from the public and the legal community have also followed, and society has further discussed how to control firearms and protect students.
Society’s reaction and future
Cruz’s shooting not only killed people, but also left dozens of survivors facing mental health challenges. In the aftermath, some survivors had to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt. Student movements across the country are demanding further gun control and increased safety in schools.
So, we can’t help but ask, after this tragedy, how can society ensure the safety of every student and prevent similar incidents from happening again?
