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PARKLAND, Fla. (AP)The Latest: Sheriff: 17 dead, suspect had at least 1 rifle

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PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on the deadly shooting at a Florida high school (all times local):

6:05 p.m.

A sheriff says 17 people have died in the shooting attack on a South Florida high school.

Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County says the 19-year-old suspect is in custody and that investigators are beginning to “dissect” what happened in the attack Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

He says the suspect, a former student, was previously expelled for disciplinary reasons.

Israel says the man had at least one rifle and multiple magazines.

He says most of the fatalities were inside the building though some were found fatally shot outside.

A man says he watched as officers arrested the suspect in the shooting at a Florida high school, where authorities are reporting numerous deaths.

Michael Nembhard told The Associated Press he was in his garage watching TV news coverage of the shooting when he heard a police officer repeatedly yelling, “get on the ground!”

Nembhard says he looked up to see a teenage boy on the ground about 150 yards (meters) away with an officer pointing a gun at him. The officer stood over the boy until other officers arrived, handcuffed him and led him away.

A federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity identified the suspect as Nicolas Cruz. The official says he wasn’t authorized to discuss it publicly.

Authorities say the suspect is a former student about 18 years old.

5:20 p.m.

A federal official has identified the Florida school shooting suspect as Nicolas Cruz.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official says he had been briefed on the investigation into the shooting at the South Florida high school, but was not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Authorities in Florida say the shooter opened fire at the school Wednesday afternoon, killing “numerous” people. The shooting sent frightened students running out into the streets and SWAT team members swarming the building.

Authorities later announced that they had taken a former student, about 18 years old, into custody after locating him off the school grounds.

The Voice’ star Christina Grimmie shot dead at Florida concert

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Voice' star Christina Grimmie

Voice’ star Christina Grimmie

American singer-songwriter Christina Grimmie has died after an attacker shot at her at a concert in Orlando, Florida. She was signing autographs for fans when she was gunned down.

“We can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord,” publicist Heather Walsh said in a statement on Saturday. The Orlando Police Department also confirmed the death of “The Voice” singer.

Police said the singer was performing with the band, Before You Exit, at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida. The concert ended around 10 p.m. at night and Grimmie was signing autographs when a gunman attacked her. Immediately after the shooting, Grimmie’s brother tackled the unidentified attacker, who then shot and killed himself.

Police said his motive was still not clear. “We don’t know if he was just a crazy fan that followed her on Twitter or on social media. We really don’t know,” spokeswoman Wanda Miglio said at a news conference. “Her brother is a hero for saving and stopping him from not hurting anyone else,” she added.

The singer was rushed to the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Grimmie finished third in the sixth season of NBC’s “The Voice.” The singer, originally from New Jersey, has a huge following on YouTube.

NBC expressed its regrets at her death in a tweet.

 

The band Before You Exit, which was performing with Grimmie on the fateful night, said in a statement, “She was an absolutely incredible musician and an even better friend. We are so saddened by her passing and are completely heartbroken.”

Before You Exit’s Adam Levine posted his message on Instagram. “I’m sad, shocked and confused. We love you so much Grimmie,” he wrote.

Pop star Nick Jonas also expressed his sadness through a Twitter post.

mg/rc (AP, dpa)

 

Walk Against Genocide event to take place in Florida

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April 7, 2014 – 10:28 AMT

177715An upcoming walkathon in Boca Raton, Florida, U.S., will mark the 99th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, whereby 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated by the Ottoman Turkish Empire during World War I. Event proceeds will go towards genocide awareness, community outreach and advocacy for more comprehensive genocide education in Florida public schools.

The Walk Against Genocide, a two-mile walk which will take place Saturday, April 12 at Mizner Park, is organized by the Armenian Genocide Commemoration (AGC) Inc., a nonprofit organization comprised of representatives from various Armenian American organizations and churches in South Florida. The mission of the AGC is to educate the public about the first genocide of the 20thcentury — and that genocide continues to occur in modern times, all over the world. In the past few weeks, Armenians have watched history repeat itself as foreign Islamic extremists sacked the predominantly Christian Armenian town of Kessab, Syria, displacing thousands of peaceful Armenians.

Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal, AGC’s Public Relations Director, explained: “The Armenian American community usually finds itself commemorating the genocide within its own confines. However, with the 100th anniversary one year away, there seems to be a stirring in Armenian communities all over the world. By planning highly visible events such as this walkathon, we are throwing open the door to all who wish to learn more about us, our culture, and the genocide that took our ancestors from us. As the saying goes, ‘all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ We must raise our voices together to condemn not only the Armenian Genocide but also the Holocaust, the Assyrian, Greek, Ukrainian, Cambodian, Rwandan and Darfur genocides, among others.”

Today, the Armenian Genocide remains the second-most studied genocide event, after the better-known Jewish Holocaust of World War II. Over 20 countries and 40 U.S. States officially recognize the Armenian Genocide committed by Turkey, including the State of Florida.

David Silvers, Candidate for Florida House District 89, will be speaking at the event and has stated “It is important to acknowledge both the suffering and the resilience of our fellow world citizens. Recognition of Turkey’s atrocities toward the Armenian people in 1915 is a necessary step in that process. An injury to one is an injury to us all.”

A traditional Armenian performance by renowned musicians Joe Zeytoonian and Myriam Eli will take place following the walk.