Sheriff: Armed deputy never went into school to engage gunman during shooting

[bnew]

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS12) — The armed school resource deputy assigned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the day of the mass shooting "never went in," to confront the killer, according to Sheriff Scott Israel.

The SRD, identified by the sheriff's office as Deputy Scot Peterson, resigned after being suspended without pay by the sheriff's office Thursday morning. The New York Times reported Peterson "hid behind a concrete column leading to a stairwell,” according to an interview with Coral Springs Police Officer Burton who worried the gunman could be lurking in the lot because he heard no gunshots or screams to guide him toward the site of the shooting.

Israel made the decision after reviewing video, witness statements and Peterson's own statement about what happened on Valentine's Day.

Peterson earned SRO of the Year honors in 2014 while working at Stoneman Douglas. He made $108,304 before taxes that year as well, according to personnel records released by the sheriff's office. Peterson earned a Longevity Service Award in 2015 for 30 years of service.

The resignation of the armed deputy is one of several major announcements in the aftermath of the shooting. The FBI admitted to a blunder last week, by saying it failed to follow protocols after getting a tip about Cruz in January. The agency said someone called a public tipline to say Cruz wanted to kill people and cited his gun ownership, erratic behavior and disturbing social media posts. The FBI said the intel should've been flagged as a potential threat to life and forwarded to the FBI Miami Field Office for further investigation.

The shooting happened a week ago. The suspect, Nikolas Cruz, is accused of killing 17 people.

After the shooting, the Broward Sheriff's Office said Cruz walked to a Walmart to buy a drink at Subway, then strolls to McDonald's and leaves. 80 minutes after the gunfire at the high school, a Coconut Creek Police officer arrested Cruz in Coral Springs. He's now being held on 17 counts of premeditated murder.

 

[Brolic Scholar]

They are only willing to confront unarmed black people. They’re cowards. We all knew that.

 

[Rekkapryde]

Scared ass Cac.

Unwilling to pop your own but...

They are only willing to confront unarmed black people. They’re cowards. We all knew that.

 

[richaveli83]

When I was in high school the cop that patrolled our school was a old man who was just bidding his time until he could retire. Thinking it would be a easy check and not require much. This doesn't surprise me.

 

[No..Money..Mo..Problems]

That nikka made a business decision I always laugh at these let's put armed guards and arm teachers shyt. When a nikka pulls up with a long gun you best be running the other way. I don't think people realize how miss matched a hand gun is to an assault rifle. I'll take one guy with a assault rifle and lots of ammo vs 5 nikkas with pistols any day.

 

[8WON6]

So there goes that argument.

 

[CreepyMcCreeperson]

108K, and the one time he has to really do his job, he fails

 

[Koapa]

Shyt got real fast. Everybody be talking about what they would’ve done until they’re in that position and don’t do shyt.

 

[Heafcliffe]

What a coward but just in time for the NRA to throw another deflection into the mix

 

[RoidJonesJr]

I heard that people at the Las Vegas shooting were strapped but they froze up (to be fair they couldn't even reach him anyway)

 

[LoStranger]

No different to how they behaved during columbine. The police have always been cowards they only stunt against unarmed people or if the person is armed there has to be 10 of em. They literally act like teen gang members... Bunch of cowards

 

[EBK String]

he was hiding behind a concrete column like

mjplshide

• EBK String
• Feb 22, 2018

mjplshide

 

[L&HH]

I thought dudes named Scott Peterson were killers

 

[Strapped]

Why should he risk his life before back up gets there

 

[Malcolmxxx_23]

They did the same at coloumbine