Nikolas Cruz is the shooter who killed 17 people and injured 17 at the Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. His case sparked a national campaign calling for stricter gun control laws.
A former school student, Cruz went on a shooting spree on Valentine’s Day. He was a member of the school’s air rifle team and was expelled due to disciplinary records.
Cruz had arrived at the school with an AR-15 rifle and candidly gunned down 14 students and three staff. He subsequently surrendered and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. While Cruz is facing the death penalty, his attorneys appeal for a life sentence.
Where Is Nikolas Cruz Now?
Nikolas Cruz is facing his death penalty trial in Florida on Monday, July 18, 2022.
A panel of 22 people, which includes ten alternates and 12 jurors, is tasked to decide Cruz’s faith. They will determine whether Cruz should be sentenced to death or receive life imprisonment without parole.
The charges on Cruz are 17 counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
The shooter pleaded guilty in October 2021. The prosecutor demanded the death penalty for Cruz’s action, while his attorney wanted him to face a minimum life sentence.
Nikolas Cruz New Trial And Death Penalty Updates
Nikolas Cruz’s new trial is likely to last for a month.
On Monday, July 18, 2022, the panels delved more deeply into Cruz’s life story. It talked about how Cruz was expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School before he went on the killing spree. Similarly, the trial phase also includes the crime scene visit.
Before the shooting, Cruz was seen walking purposely toward Building 12. He then opened fire inside a three-story building, where he shot students and teachers in hallways and classrooms.
After the shooting, Cruz is seen blending with other students evacuating from the school buildings. He then walks to a Walmart nearby. After ordering a drink, he leaves and walks to Mcdonald’s, where he asks a student for a ride. The student declines, and Cruz gets arrested in a nearby neighborhood.
The lead prosecutor Mike Satz opened the Monday trial stating that the incident was a systematic murder. He said Cruz had been planning to be a school shooter long before.
Likewise, he talked about Cruz’s video recording, where he is seen bragging about his plans before the slaughter. In the clip, Cruz says his “goal is at least 20 people with an AR-15.”
“It’s going to be a big event. And when you see me on the news, you’ll know who I am. You’re all going to die”, Cruz stated in his recording.
Who Were The Victims Of Nikolas Cruz?
Nikolas Cruz killed 17 and injured 17 during the shooting spree. His victims included both students, faculty members, and staff.
The students who lost their lives during the incident were Alyssa Alhadeff, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Jaime Guttenberg, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alexander Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, and Peter Wang.
Similarly, the three faculty members killed were Scott Beigel, Aaron Feis, and Christopher Hixon. They lost their lives while running toward the danger and trying to help students to safety.