In the immediate aftermath of today’s horrific mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, CNN contributor Philip Mudd, a counterterrorism analyst, broke down during a segment on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.
CNN contributor Philip Mudd breaks down in tears discussing the Florida shooting pic.twitter.com/oKCMgMWxDP
— David Mack (@davidmackau) February 14, 2018
“A child of God is dead,” he says bluntly.
“Cannot we acknowledge in this country that we can’t—we cannot accept this,” he continues, before breaking down.
The school shooting occurred at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At about 2:30 PM, a gunman opened fire, injuring approximately 50 students and leaving at least 17 students dead.
The shooter has been identified as 19-year-old Nicolas de Jesus Cruz, a former student at the school.
“We were told last year that he wasn’t allowed on campus with a backpack on him,” said math teacher Jim Gard. “There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus.”
JUST IN: Sen. Ben Nelson says he's been told by the school superintendent that "there are a number of fatalities" pic.twitter.com/fSzl8Mi0QL
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 14, 2018
JUST IN (warning, disturbing video): Cell phone video inside the school as shots were going off at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High https://t.co/wHWo6XjccX pic.twitter.com/3ovf5LhzBs
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 14, 2018
The school went into lockdown, and the Coral Springs Police Department tweeted at students to “remain barricaded inside until police reach [them].”
Students/Teachers #Douglas High School Remain barricaded inside until police reach you.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14, 2018
During the shooting, many students took to Twitter to tweet photos in real time.
so much for Valentine’s Day,,#stillshaking #stillscared #stillpraying pic.twitter.com/Zjv2gkJTKM
— Camila Fraser (@camilafraserr) February 14, 2018
Shooting at Marjory stoneman Douglas high school not even a hour ago.. prayers go out to everyone in the school pic.twitter.com/9n8bx2Vp4F
— cyanide. (@Tezlurkss) February 14, 2018
My school is being shot up and I am locked inside. I’m fucking scared right now. pic.twitter.com/mjiEmPvGNb
— Aidan (@TheCaptainAidan) February 14, 2018
Still locked in. I checked the local news and there is 20 victims. Long live Majory Stoneman Douglas High. pic.twitter.com/4kQMAlCBWt
— Aidan (@TheCaptainAidan) February 14, 2018
I am in a school shooting right now…
— Aidan (@TheCaptainAidan) February 14, 2018
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy took to the Senate floor to castigate his colleagues for their lack of action against this wholly American phenomenon “with zero parallel anywhere else.”
Sen. Chris Murphy addresses Florida school shooting on Senate floor: "Let me just note once again for my colleagues…We are responsible for a level of mass atrocity that happens in this country with zero parallel anywhere else." https://t.co/BuEAqG21or pic.twitter.com/h2ODRP5g7N
— ABC News (@ABC) February 14, 2018
This is the 59th mass shooting at or near a school this academic year. We don’t need thoughts and prayers, we need common sense gun legislation. Perhaps one day the Republican Party will realize that. Until then, Americans will continue to feel exactly as Philip Mudd does.
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