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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2018)
5A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018 Florida teen charged with 17 murders Broward County Jail Nikolas Cruz SUSPECT BELONGED TO WHITE NATIONALIST GROUP, HARASSED PEERS Associated Press Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel Students are evacuated by police from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday. By TERRY SPENCER and KELLI KENNEDY Associated Press PARKLAND, Fla. — An orphaned 19-year-old with a troubled past and his own AR-15 rifle was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday morning after being questioned for hours by state and fed- eral authorities following the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in five years. Fourteen wounded survivors were hospi- talized as bodies were recovered from inside and around Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Nikolas Cruz, still wearing a hospital gown after being treated for labored breathing, and weighing in at 5-foot-7 and 131 pounds, was ordered held without bond and booked into jail. His former classmates thought they were having another drill Wednesday afternoon when a fire alarm sounded, requiring them to leave their classrooms. That’s when police say Cruz, equipped with a gas mask, smoke grenades and multiple magazines of ammunition, opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon, killing 17 people and sending hundreds of students fleeing into the streets. It was the nation’s deadliest school shooting since a gunman attacked an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years ago. The overall death toll differs by how such shootings are defined, but Everytown For Gun Safety has tallied 290 school shootings in America since 2013, and this attack makes 18 so far this year. Cruz purchased the AR-15 legally about a year ago, a law enforcement official who is familiar with the investigation told The Asso- ciated Press. The official, not authorized to dis- cuss this publicly, spoke on condition of ano- nymity. Federal law allows people 18 and older to legally purchase long guns, including this kind of assault weapon. President Donald Trump’s reaction focused on Cruz’s mental health. “So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!” Trump tweeted Thursday. Trump also issued a proclamation saying, THE DAILY ASTORIAN T HURSDAY E VENING A (2) (-) (-) (6) (-) (8) (9) (10) (12) (13) (-) (20) (-) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) L KATU KOMO KING KOIN KIRO KGW KRCW KOPB KPTV KPDX KCPQ TBS KZJO ESPN ESPN2 NICK DISN FAM FMC LIFE ROOT FS1 SPIKE COM HIST A&E TLC DISC NGEO TNT AMC USA FOOD HGTV FX CNN FNC CNBC BRAV TCM SYFY RFD (2) (4) (5) (-) (7) (-) (3) (10) (12) (-) (13) (20) (22) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) 6 AP Photo/Gerald Herbert Marla Eveillard, 14, cries as she hugs friends before the start of a Thursday vig- il at the Parkland Baptist Church, for the victims of Wednesday’s shooting. in part, “Our Nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones,” and planned to address the nation about the shooting. Among the many other responses, the New York Stock Exchange held a minute of silence after its opening bell. Authorities offered no immediate details about a possible motive, except to say that Cruz had been kicked out of the high school, which has about 3,000 students. Students who knew him described a volatile teenager whose strange behavior had caused others to end friendships with him. Cruz’s mother Lynda Cruz died of pneu- monia on Nov. 1 neighbors, friends and fam- ily members said, according to the Sun Senti- nel . Cruz and her husband, who died of a heart attack several years ago, adopted Nikolas and his biological brother, Zachary, after the cou- ple moved from Long Island in New York to Broward County. The boys were left in the care of a fam- ily friend after their mother died, said fam- ily member Barbara Kumbatovich, of Long Island. Unhappy there, Nikolas Cruz asked to move in with a friend’s family in northwest Broward. That family agreed and Cruz moved in around Thanksgiving. According to the fam- ily’s lawyer, who did not identify them, they knew that Cruz owned the AR-15 but made him keep it locked up in a cabinet. He did have the key, however. Attorney Jim Lewis said the family is coop- erating with authorities, and had no idea he was planning the shooting. He seemed like “just a mildly troubled kid who’d lost his mom” during the three months they lived together; respectful and quiet, but also said because his mother had died, Lewis said. They had “no indication that anything severe like this was wrong,” Lewis said. “He totally kept this from everybody.” Victoria Olvera, a 17-year-old junior, said Cruz was expelled last school year because he got into a fight with his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. She said he had been abusive to the girl. “I think everyone had in their minds if any- body was going to do it, it was going to be him,” said Dakota Mutchler, also 17. Cruz was taken into custody without a fight about an hour after the shooting in a residen- tial neighborhood about a mile away. He had multiple magazines of ammunition, authori- ties said. “It’s catastrophic. There really are no words,” said Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. The sheriff said 12 bodies were found inside the building, two others outside and another a short distance away from the school. Sen. Bill Nelson told CNN that Cruz had pulled the fire alarm “so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall.” “And there the carnage began,” said Nel- son, who said he was briefed by the FBI. Frantic parents rushed to the school to find SWAT team members and ambulances sur- rounding the huge campus and emergency workers treating the wounded on sidewalks. Students who had taken shelter inside class- rooms began leaving in a single-file line with their hands over their heads as officers urged them to evacuate quickly. Hearing loud bangs as the shooter fired, many of the students hid under desks or in closets, and barricaded doors. “We were in the corner, away from the win- dows,” said freshman Max Charles, who said he heard five gunshots. “The teacher locked the door and turned off the light. I thought maybe I could die or something.” Charles said he passed four dead students and one dead teacher on his way out, and was relieved to finally find his mother. “I was happy that I was alive,” Max said. “She was crying when she saw me.” SCHEDULE A - Charter Astoria/ Seaside - L - Charter Long Beach PARKLAND, Fla. — Students and neighbors describe the suspect in the deadly rampage at a Florida high school as a troubled teenager who threatened and harassed peers, talked about kill- ing animals, posed with guns in disturb- ing photos on social media, and bragged about target practice in his backyard with a pellet gun. Nikolas Cruz, 19, had been expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for “disciplinary reasons,” Bro- ward County Sheriff Scott Israel said, but he insisted he didn’t know the specifics. As the criminal case against the sus- pect took shape, the leader of a white nationalist militia called the Republic of Florida said Cruz was a member of his group and participated in exercises in Tallahassee. Jordan Jereb said he did not know Cruz personally and that “he acted on his own behalf” and is “solely responsible for what he just did.” He also said Cruz had “trouble with a girl” and that he believed the timing of the attack, on Valentine’s Day, was not a coincidence. Math teacher Jim Gard told the Miami Herald that before Wednesday’s fatal shooting of 17 people, Cruz may have been identified as a potential threat — Gard believes the school had sent out an email warning teachers that Cruz shouldn’t be allowed on campus with a backpack. “There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus,” Gard told the paper. Student Victoria Olvera, 17, said Cruz had been abusive to his ex-girlfriend and that his expulsion was over a fight with her new boyfriend. He’d been attending another school in Broward County since the expulsion, school officials said. Jonathan Guimaraes, 17, told the Miami Herald that he had been in JROTC with Cruz. “He was quiet, nice,” Guimaraes said. “That’s how he was able to blend in. He was wearing his JROTC uniform.” Cruz had on a maroon polo shirt bear- ing an ROTC insignia and the school’s eagle mascot when he was arrested Wednesday. Evening listings THURSDAY F EBRUARY 15 PM 6:30 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 11 PM 11:30 Jeopardy! (N) Wheel Fortune (N) The Bachelor Winter Games Participants arrive at an ice rink for their challenge. 20/20 "Roseanne: The Return" (N) KATU News (N) (:35) Jimmy Kimmel KATU News at 6 (N) KOMO 4 News (N) (:35) Jimmy Kimmel KOMO 4 News (N) Wheel Fortune (N) Jeopardy! (N) The Bachelor Winter Games Participants arrive at an ice rink for their challenge. 20/20 "Roseanne: The Return" (N) (5:00) Olympics Figure Skating (M) Short, Snowboarding (W) Cross Final, Skeleton (M) Final, Freestyle Skiing (W) Aerials, Cross-country Skiing (W) 10km Freestyle Final (L) (:05) PyeongChang 2018 (:05) KING 5 News (:35) 2018Olympics KOIN Local 6 (N) Evening News (N) Extra Ent. Tonight Big Bang Theory Young Sheldon Mom Life in Pieces S.W.A.T. "Seizure" KOIN 6 News (N) (:35) Colbert KIRO 7 News (N) Evening News (N) KIRO 7 News (N) Ent. Tonight Big Bang Theory Young Sheldon Mom Life in Pieces S.W.A.T. "Seizure" KIRO News (N) (:35) Colbert (5:00) Olympics Figure Skating (M) Short, Snowboarding (W) Cross Final, Skeleton (M) Final, Freestyle Skiing (W) Aerials, Cross-country Skiing (W) 10km Freestyle Final (L) (:05) PyeongChang 2018 (:05) KGW News (:35) 2018Olympics Modern Family Modern Family The Goldbergs The Goldbergs Supernatural "Breakdown" Arrow "Divided" News at 10 (N) Friends Two and a Half Two and a Half Curious Tra. (N) Business (N) PBS NewsHour (N) Art Beat (N) Oregon Guide (N) Midsomer M. (:45) Midsomer M. "Secrets and Spies" (:40) Miss Marple Mysteries "Murder at the Vicarage" 6 O'Clock News (N) Family Feud Family Feud Gotham "Things That Go Boom" 9-1-1 "Point of Origin" 10 O'Clock News (N) News (N) Page Six TV Mike & Molly Mike & Molly Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory FOX 12's News (N) 9 O'Clock News (N) Family Guy American Dad! The Game The Game Modern Family Modern Family Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Gotham "Things That Go Boom" 9-1-1 "Point of Origin" Q13 News at 10 (N) Q13 News (N) The Simpsons Family Guy Family Guy Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Brooklyn 99 Conan Friends Friends Mom Modern Family Mom Modern Family Q13 News at 9 (N) Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Two and a Half Two and a Half NCAA Basketball (L) SportsCenter (N) SportsCenter (N) SportsCenter (N) SportsCenter (N) NCAA Basketball (L) College Basketball 30 for 30 Nación ESPN (N) Jalen & Jacoby NFL Live A weekday NFL news and information show. Shaun the Sheep: The Movie (‘15) Voices of John Sparkes, Justin Fletcher. Full House Full House Friends Friends Sponge (N) Henry Danger Hunter Street (N) SpongeBob 16 Wishes (2010, Family) Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Kendall Cross. (:40) Andi Mack (:05) Bizaardvark Raven's Home Gravity Falls Gravity Falls Andi Mack Stuck in Middle Jessie Jessie The Lion King (‘94) Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Mulan (1998, Animated) Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Ming-Na Wen. Beyond "Bedposts" (N) The 700 Club The Dictator (‘12) Anna Faris, Sacha Baron Cohen. (5:50) Safe House (‘12) Ryan Reynolds, Robert Patrick, Denzel Washington. (:10) Safe House (2012, Action) Ryan Reynolds, Robert Patrick, Denzel Washington. How Do You Know (2010, Comedy/Drama) Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Married at First Sight "Move-Ins" Grey's Anatomy "Blink" Grey's Anatomy NCAA Basketball Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga (L) Footvolley 2017 Hollywood Beach Open Footvolley 2017 Hollywood Beach Open Footvolley 2017 Hollywood Beach Open Footvolley 2017 Hollywood Beach Open (4:00) NASCAR Racing Can-Am Duel (L) Race Classic (N) NASCAR Classic NCAA Basketball Oregon State at UCLA (L) TMZ Sports (N) Skip and Shannon: Undisputed Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Lip Sync Battle Lip Sync Battle (N) National Treasure (‘04) Diane Kruger, Nicolas Cage. (:15) The Office 2/2 (:50) South Park "Erection Day" (:25) South Park South Park South Park Tosh.0 Tosh.0 Tosh.0 Tosh.0 The Daily Show (N) The Opposition Swamp People "Never Surrender" Swamp People "Cajun Cartel" Swamp: Blood "Bruce's Dilemma" (N) Swamp People "Houdini Returns" (N) (:05) Swamp Pp. "Never Surrender" (N) (:05) Swamp People "Cajun Cartel" The First 48 "Shattered Glass" The First 48 The First 48 "A Murder in Mobile" 60 Days In "Sexual Preference" (N) 60 Days "See Nothing, Say Nothing" (N) (:05) First 48 "Love Hate/ A Soldier's Life" My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding My 600-lb Life "June's Story" My 600-lb Life "James B.'s Story" James spent his early life trying to prove himself. Family by-Ton "The Big Reveal" (SF) (N) 600 Life: Supersized "James B.'s Story" Mnshiner "Curse of the Blown Cover" Moonshiners "Fire and Rain" To Be Announced Fields "Murder Isle: Killer Among Us" (N) Killing Fields "Murder in the Swamps" Moonshiners "Tennessee Rising" Life Below Zero "Heavy Load" Life Below Zero "The Widowmaker" Life Below Zero "Crash Course" (N) Life Below Zero "Close Encounter" (N) Life Below Zero "Close Encounter" NBA Basketball Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Site: Target Center (L) Inside the NBA NBA Basketball Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves Site: Target Center Rambo: First Blood (‘82) Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna, Sylvester Stallone. The Book of Eli (2009, Adventure) Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Denzel Washington. Under Siege (‘92, Act) Tommy Lee Jones, Steven Seagal. Chicago P.D. "Sanctuary" Chicago P.D. "I Remember Her Now" Chicago P.D. "Seven Indictments" Chicago P.D. Chicago P.D. "Emotional Proximity" Modern Family Modern Family Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Chopped "Blue Plate Fate" Chopped "Jump For Bok Choy" Chopped "Clock Shock" Beat Flay (N) Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Beat Bobby Flay Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop (N) Flip or Flop House Hunters (N) House Hunters (N) House Hunters House Hunters Jack Reacher (2012, Action) Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Tom Cruise. (5:00) Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (‘15) Simon Pegg, Tom Cruise. Jack Reacher (2012, Action) Tom Cruise. Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon CNN Tonight With Don Lemon Anderson Cooper 360 Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon Hannity The Ingraham Angle Fox News @ Night Tucker Carlson Tonight Hannity The Ingraham Angle Shark Tank PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (M) United States vs. Slovakia (L) Jay Leno's Garage "Getting Away" Lives-Super Rich Paid Program Top Chef "Restaurant Wars" Top Chef "Bronco Brouhaha" Top Chef "Red Rum and Then Some" Top Chef "Cooking High" (N) Bethenny-Fredrik Bethenny-Fredrik WatchWhat (N) Beverly Hills (5:00) Splendor in the Grass (:15) Pillow Talk (1959, Comedy) Rock Hudson, Tony Randall, Doris Day. (:15) The Candidate (‘72, Political) Peter Boyle, Don Porter, Robert Redford. (:15) The Producers (‘68) Gene Wilder. Conan the Barbarian (2011, Action) Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Jason Momoa. (5:25) Spider-Man 3 (2007, Action) Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Tobey Maguire. The Magicians "Do You Like Teeth?" SF Machinery (N) Small Town (N) Rural America 'Live' "AARP" (N) Steve Lantvit Rural Eve. News Market Journal GA Farm Monitor SF Machinery Small Town Time Life Library
