On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland armed with an AR‑15–style rifle and multiple magazines. At approximately 2:21 p.m., he began shooting outside classrooms in Building 12, opening fire in rapid succession on students and staff.
Cruz killed 17 individuals, including 14 students and 3 staff members, and wounded 17 others. He was confronted by students and armed surveillance footage captured him reloading and moving deliberately between areas. He then fled the campus disguised in a T-shirt over his head.
Less than an hour later, Cruz was arrested without incident off-campus. Investigators found the weapon, extra ammunition, and other supplies in his car. In his residence, they discovered a detailed handwritten note describing his fantasies and premeditated intent to kill.
Before the attack, Cruz had been expelled from the school for disciplinary issues, including a violent threat. He had been referred to mental health counselors and expressed suicidal thoughts and aggressive ideations. Family and local authorities had been aware of behavioral warning signs, including involvement in white supremacist groups, struggles with substance abuse, and fascination with past mass shooters.
Cruz pleaded guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. In November 2022, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, after avoiding the death penalty via a plea deal.
The Parkland massacre had profound national impact. It led to sweeping policy changes in Florida, including the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act”, introduction of “red flag” laws in several states, and high-profile activism around gun reform. The tragedy deeply affected a generation of students and teachers.
The Parkland shooting revealed how persistent warnings, behavioral red flags, and easy access to a weapon can contribute to explosive violence—even when there are multiple opportunities for intervention.
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