Photo: Screenshot/NBC News
Thousands of people from Parkland community gathered for an emotional vigil after the city lost 17 students and teachers to one of the deadliest shootings in the United States.
The perpetrator Nicholas Cruz, 19, has confessed to carrying out killings of 17 students and teachers in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
As the sun set after a day of terrible loss of lives, mourners, holding vigils, comforted each other, vowing solidarity at the place, which rarely ever experienced a shooting incident. Officials, students and parents of the victims took part in the vigil.
“Don’t tell me there’s no such thing as gun violence,” Fred Guttenberg, father of 14-year-old daughter Jamie, who was killed in the attack, said at the service.
He found it inexplicable that such a terrible tragedy could strike a peaceful place like Parkland. “What is unfathomable that Jamie took a bullet and is dead,” Guttenberg said, according to a video posted by NBC channel on its website.
Among the victims was school football coach Aaron Feis, who sacrificed his life in protection of students.
The shooting, claimed 17 lives, shocking people across the United States with yet another incident of school shooting bringing suffering to students, teachers and their families.
The school had expelled Cruz for disciplinary reasons.
According to media accounts, Cruz used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with “countless magazines,” smoke grenades and a gas mask.
Authorities say Cruz had a troubled background and had lost both parents who adopted him. He had shown signs of strange behavior on the social media but was not reported.
For example, in a YouTube comment, Cruz had said “I’m going to be a professional school shooter.”
The horrific shooting has renewed debate over gun control. According to a report, the United States loses 30 people every day to gun shooting.
In his reaction, President Donald Trump has called for vigilance, as he expressed solidarity with the victims.
“So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed,” the president wrote on Twitter. “Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!”
Nikolas Jacob Cruz Photo Credit: Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Florida/Wikimedia Commons
Trump said in an address to the nation that he plans to visit Parkland, Florida.
“No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning.
“Each person who was stolen from us yesterday had a full life ahead of them — a life filled with wondrous beauty and unlimited potential and promise. Each one had dreams to pursue, love to give, and talents to share with the world. And each one had a family to whom they meant everything in the world,” he said.
However, major news outlets noted that there was no mention of gun control in the president’s remarks.
“I’m making plans to visit Parkland to meet with families and local officials, and to continue coordinating the federal response,” Trump said.
He had words of comfort for the victims and also assurance for the children that the government cares about them.
“I want to speak now directly to America’s children, especially those who feel lost, alone, confused or even scared: I want you to know that you are never alone and you never will be. You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you. If you need help, turn to a teacher, a family member, a local police officer, or a faith leader. Answer hate with love; answer cruelty with kindness.
“We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life, that creates deep and meaningful human connections, and that turns classmates and colleagues into friends and neighbors.
“Our administration is working closely with local authorities to investigate the shooting and learn everything we can. We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health.”
Later this month, Trump said he will meet with the nation’s governors and attorney generals, where “making our schools and our children safer will be our top priority.”
