As the nation mourns the loss of 17 individuals killed in a mass shooting at a Florida High School, multiple questions are beginning to surface as to whether the FBI ignored key red flags that could’ve prevented the tragedy at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
An FBI agent spoke with reporters Thursday over claims the bureau received a tip last year that Nikolas Cruz claimed he wanted to be a “professional school shooter” on social media, saying the agency investigated but was unable to determine the individuals “true identity.”
“In 2017 the FBI received information about a comment made on a YouTube channel. The comment simply said, ‘I’m going to be a professional school shooter.’ No other information was included in that comment which would indicate a time, location, or the true identity of the person who made the comment,” said FBI Agent in Charge Robert Lasky.
“The FBI conducted database reviews, checks, but was unable to further identify the person who actually made the comment,” he added.
Watch the agent’s comments below:
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Robert Lasky, addresses @bri_sacks scoop about the FBI being warned about a comment about school violence from the shooter’s name in September.
He said the agency couldn’t ID the person.https://t.co/wyzk1ljHrI pic.twitter.com/BB9hgHccha
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) February 15, 2018
BREAKING: Reports of ‘ACTIVE SHOOTER’ at Florida High School, Gunman 'Still At Large'
Law enforcement in Broward County, Florida are responding to what appears to be an “active shooter” at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida; with police and SWAT teams descending on the scene as local students are evacuated.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the incident on social media, saying “there are reports of victims” at the local school and urging residents to “avoid the area” as officials rush to contain the situation.
“#BSO is working a developing incident regarding a report of active shooter located at 5901 Pine Island Rd, Parkland. Here’s what we know so far: deputies are responding to reports of a shooting at Stoneman Douglas High. There are reports of victims. PIO will be on scene 3:15pm,” tweeted the Department.
“Avoid the area of Stoneman Douglas HS. #BSO is currently working a developing incident regarding a report of active shooter,” the statement adds. “Shooter still at large.”
#BSO is working a developing incident regarding a report of active shooter located at 5901 Pine Island Rd, Parkland. Here's what we know so far: deputies are responding to reports of a shooting at Stoneman Douglas High. There are reports of victims. PIO will be on scene 3:15pm.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
Avoid the area of Stoneman Douglas HS. #BSO is currently working a developing incident regarding a report of active shooter.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
Follow @browardsheriff for latest info on the #stonemanshooting. Shooter still at large.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
More information as it develops.
SENT AWAY: Vegas Shooter Sent Girlfriend Out of US to Plan Rampage
The lone gunman behind the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States sent his girlfriend out of the country so he could plan his devastating attack unfettered, the woman’s sister said Wednesday.
According to Fox News, the sister of Marilou Danley spoke with a local Australian television station this week, saying that Stephen Paddock sent the woman to the Philippines ahead of his rampage; claiming Danley knew nothing of the impending assault.
“She was sent away. She was away so that she will not be there to interfere with what he’s planning,” said the sister. “She didn’t even know that she was going to the Philippines, until Steve said ‘Marilou, I found you a cheap ticket to the Philippines.'”
Danley returned to the United States late Tuesday night, meeting with federal investigators and officials at Los Angeles International Airport. The woman is expected to face tough questions from American authorities over Paddock, the assault, and her possible role in the deadly attack.
“No one can put the puzzles together,” said the sister. “No one except Marilou. Because Steve is not here to talk anymore. Only Marilou can maybe help.”
Investigators are struggling to determine the motive behind Paddock’s rampage. The 64-year-old former accountant murdered 59 people and injured nearly 600 after he opened fire from the 32nd story of his Las Vegas hotel suite; turning a country music festival into a killing field.