5 Dead as 19 year old former Student Opens Fire in a Florida High School

A gunman opened fire at a Florida high school on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 5 people. The casualty is expected to be higher. 

A suspected gunman has been arrested after opening fire on a Florida high school, leaving at least 50 injured. The 'heavily armed' shooter, named as student Nicolas Cruz, 19, entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, armed with what appears to be an assault rifle, and began shooting at just after 2pm. At around 4pm, two hours after the shooter first opened fire, police and SWAT teams took him into custody.

Police describe him as a student and member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Video shows him wearing a maroon or burgundy colored top as he was put in the back of a cruiser by half a dozens officers.

Horrifying video, filmed from inside a classroom at the school, captured the moment the shooter, who was wearing a gas mask, burst in and began shooting at his fellow students who were screaming in terror.

Students barricaded themselves into their classrooms, while others were seen running out of the building with their hands in their air as police and SWAT teams swarmed the school.

Those fleeing the school, in single file, each threw their backpack into a large pile and huddled together under trees across the street. The school district stated that the shooting happened shortly before dismissal time when students heard what sounded like gunfire.