February 16, 2018•Update: February 21, 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The FBI acknowledged Friday it fumbled a tip about the gunman accused of killing 17 people in a Florida high school, prompting Attorney General Jeff Sessions to order a review of the bureau and Justice Department protocols.
The bureau said in a rare statement it was contacted Jan. 5 by a person close to Nikolas Cruz with information about his "gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.”
That information should have been evaluated as a threat to life, the bureau said, and then forwarded to the Miami field office for investigation.
That protocol was not followed and no investigation was conducted, the bureau acknowledged.
An internal investigation into the events is underway, Director Christopher Wray said.
"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,” he added.
Fuming, Florida Gov. Rick Scott demanded Wray's resignation.
"The FBI’s failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable," he said in a statement. "Seventeen innocent people are dead and acknowledging a mistake isn’t going to cut it. An apology will never bring these 17 Floridians back to life or comfort the families who are in pain."
Cruz, 19, has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder following the rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
After opening fire in five classrooms, Cruz left his rifle and backpack and escaped alongside fleeing students. He went to a nearby Walmart and purchased a drink at a Subway restaurant before walking to a McDonald's, police said.
He was apprehended without incident about 40 minutes later.
