On January 5, 2018, a person close to Nikolas Cruz contacted the FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) tipline to report concerns about him.

The caller provided information about Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.

Under established protocols, the information provided by the caller should have been assessed as a potential threat to life.

The information then should have been forwarded to the FBI Miami Field Office, where appropriate investigative steps would have been taken.

We have determined that these protocols were not followed for the information received by the PAL on January 5.

The information was not provided to the Miami Field Office, and no further investigation was conducted at that time.

(The FBI says it got a tip about the man accused of murdering 17 people in Parkland, Florida, but never investigated. Director Christopher Wray said on Friday that a caller warned the bureau of Nikolas Cruz’s desire to kill people. Courtesy of PBS NewsHour and YouTube. Posted on Feb 16, 2018)

“We are still investigating the facts,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“I am committed to getting to the bottom of what happened in this particular matter, as well as reviewing our processes for responding to information that we receive from the public.”

“It’s up to all Americans to be vigilant, and when members of the public contact us with concerns, we must act properly and quickly.”

“We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy.”

“All of the men and women of the FBI are dedicated to keeping the American people safe, and are relentlessly committed to improving all that we do and how we do it.”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott Calls on the FBI Director to Resign

(FBI under fire after revelations the bureau ignored a tip about Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 when he opened fire on Valentine’s Day. Courtesy of Fox News and YouTube. Posted on Feb 16, 2018)

“The FBI’s failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable,” he said.

“… We constantly promote ‘see something, say something,’ and a courageous person did just that to the FBI. And the FBI failed to act.”

“‘See something, say something’ is an incredibly important tool and people must have confidence in the follow through from law enforcement. The FBI director needs to resign.”

Department of Justice Takes Action in Response to Broward County School Shooting

Attorney General Jeff Sessions offered his condolences and support for the people of Broward County, Florida on Friday.

He also ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist the victims of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as well as the state and local agencies that are leading the investigation.

(Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at a sheriffs conference in Washington Thursday, a day after the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in five years. “We’ve got to confront the problem. Courtesy of CBS News and YouTube. Posted on Feb 16, 2018)

The Attorney General offered the following statement:

“It is now clear that the warning signs were there and tips to the FBI were missed. We see the tragic consequences of those failures.”

“The FBI in conjunction with our state and local partners must act flawlessly to prevent all attacks. This is imperative, and we must do better.” 

“I have ordered the Deputy Attorney General to conduct an immediate review of our process here at the Department of Justice and FBI to ensure that we reach the highest level of prompt and effective response to indications of potential violence that come to us.”

“This includes more than just an error review but also a review of how we respond.”

“This will include possible consultation with family members, mental health officials, school officials, and local law enforcement.”

“We will make this a top priority. It has never been more important to encourage every person in every community to spot the warning signs and alert law enforcement.”

“Do not assume someone else will step up–all of us must be vigilant. Our children’s lives depend on it.”

Following are some of the resources already deployed by the Department and available to assist with the state and local response:

• The FBI has approximately 250 personnel working on this matter, including personnel in Miami and at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• The FBI’s Evidence Response Team is assisting in evidence collection and analysis and providing technical assistance with phone and social media investigation.

• The ATF dispatched 17 special agents from the Miami Field Division to assist at the scene, and these agents continue to support the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in follow-up investigation.
• 14 ATF agents from ATF’s West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce Field Offices were on stand-by to assist during the scene response, and are now supporting the follow-up investigation.
• ATF completed an urgent trace of a recovered firearm through its National Tracing Center.
• ATF assisted in ballistics analysis through its National Integrated Ballistics Information Network, conducted witness interviews, and canvassed area federal firearms licensees for information that may assist the investigation. 

• Numerous components of the Department have made their victim-witness coordinators available for victim and witness assistance as needed.
• The U.S. Marshals Service has deployed eight personnel—four from the Florida/Caribbean Fugitive Task Force and four from the Southern District of Florida office.  Additional personnel were staged and remain ready to respond if needed.
• U.S. Attorney Benjamin Greenberg remains in contact with the state prosecutor and Broward County Sheriff’s Office leadership and has made all federal resources available as needed.
• Three Assistant U.S. Attorneys are currently assisting with the investigation, and one is staffing the FBI Command Post.

• Through the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program, the Office for Victims of Crime has funding available to support victim-assistance activities, such as crisis intervention and grief trauma counseling, and to reimburse victims for certain expenses related to the shooting.
• The Office for Victims of Crime and the Bureau of Justice Assistance stand ready to assist the state and local authorities.

This list should not be considered exhaustive. 

The Department of Justice will continue to do whatever it can to help the people of Florida at this difficult time.

Presidential Proclamation Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Parkland, Florida

Our Nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones in the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated on Feb. 14, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Feb. 19, 2018.

I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.

DONALD J. TRUMP

(President Donald Trump spoke directly to schoolchildren, teachers, and families across the country in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting, saying the nation is “in grief”. Courtesy of CNN and YouTube. Posted on Feb 15, 2018)