Mark Berman, The Washington Post
Published 2:32 pm PDT, Monday, August 6, 2018
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Photo: Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Photo: Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
Photo: Wilfredo Lee, AP
Click ahead to see photos of Parkland students returning to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Students walk to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as they attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Click ahead to see photos of Parkland students returning to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Students walk to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as they attend classes for the first time since the shooting
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Well wishers greet law enforcement as students head back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Well wishers greet law enforcement as students head back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the
Photo: Mike Stocker/AP
Diane Shaw a crossing guard stops traffic for students as they cross to attend classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Diane Shaw a crossing guard stops traffic for students as they cross to attend classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School staff, teachers and students return to school greeted by police and well wishers in Parkland, Florida on February 28, 2018. Students grieving for slain classmates prepared for an emotional return Wednesday to their Florida high school, where a mass shooting shocked the nation and led teen survivors to spur a growing movement to tighten America’s gun laws. The community of Parkland, Florida, where residents were plunged into tragedy two weeks ago, steeled itself for the resumption of classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where nearby flower-draped memorials and 17 white crosses pay tribute to the 14 students and three staff members who were murdered by a former student.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School staff, teachers and students return to school greeted by police and well wishers in Parkland, Florida on February 28, 2018. Students grieving for slain classmates prepared
Photo: RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images
Parents and police standby as students head back to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Parents and police standby as students head back to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since
Photo: Mike Stocker/AP
Police officers hug as they stand guard near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as students arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Police officers hug as they stand guard near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as students arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Broward County Sheriff officers wave as they welcome students as they arrive at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Broward County Sheriff officers wave as they welcome students as they arrive at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Law enforcement agents line up as students head back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP)
Law enforcement agents line up as students head back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first
Photo: Matias J. Ocner/AP
People arrive to offer support at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as student arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
People arrive to offer support at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as student arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Broward County Sheriff officers welcome students as they arrive at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as students arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Broward County Sheriff officers welcome students as they arrive at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as students arrive to attend classes for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Students were greeted by supporters, signs and flowers as they returned to class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP)
Students were greeted by supporters, signs and flowers as they returned to class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes
Photo: MATIAS J. OCNER/AP
Police officers stand watch as students and others brought animals for support at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Students returned to class for the first time since a former student opened fire there with an assault weapon. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Police officers stand watch as students and others brought animals for support at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Students returned to class for the first time
Photo: Terry Renna/AP
Students wait at a crosswalk as they arrive to attend classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz for the 17 murders. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Students wait at a crosswalk as they arrive to attend classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the shooting that killed 17 people on February 14 at the school on February 28,
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Faculty and staff greet police officers stationed outside of at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP)
Faculty and staff greet police officers stationed outside of at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first
Photo: MATIAS J. OCNER/AP
A student heads back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
A student heads back to school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and
Photo: Mike Stocker/AP
Students were greeted by supporters, signs and flowers as they returned to class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP)
Students were greeted by supporters, signs and flowers as they returned to class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. With a heavy police presence, classes
Photo: MATIAS J. OCNER/AP
Camille Aponte walks with her son Nelson Laboy, as he heads into school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School amid heavy security for the first time after a former student opened fire at the school in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Camille Aponte walks with her son Nelson Laboy, as he heads into school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School amid heavy security for the first time after a former student opened fire at the school in
Photo: Mike Stocker/AP
Students carrying flowers walk past police on their way to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time since several students and teachers were killed by a former student on Feb. 14. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Students carrying flowers walk past police on their way to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. With a heavy police presence, classes resumed for the first time
Photo: Joe Cavaretta/AP
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School staff, teachers and students return to school greeted by police and well wishers in Parkland, Florida on February 28, 2018. Students grieving for slain classmates prepared for an emotional return Wednesday to their Florida high school, where a mass shooting shocked the nation and led teen survivors to spur a growing movement to tighten America’s gun laws.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School staff, teachers and students return to school greeted by police and well wishers in Parkland, Florida on February 28, 2018. Students grieving for slain classmates prepared
Photo: RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images
Just hours after a gunman opened fire inside a Parkland, Florida, high school, killing 17 people and injuring 17 more, police sat down to speak to the suspected attacker.
He confessed to carrying out the massacre, police said. But he went on to say more than that during an extended interview, telling police that for years he had heard a “demon” in his head giving him directions.
When asked what the voice told him to do, the suspected gunman said: “Burn. Kill. Destroy.”
The detail emerged Monday in a transcript of an interview Nikolas Cruz, 19, gave to police in the aftermath of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. While authorities had previously said Cruz acknowledged that “he was the gunman who entered the school campus . . . and began shooting students,” the newly-released transcript shows for the first time much of what he told police the day of the Feb. 14 massacre and sheds light on his state of mind after the bloodshed.
A judge ruled Friday morning that the public has a right to see the Broward school district’s report about the Parkland shooter.
Media: Sun-Sentinel
In the 217-page transcript, much of which is redacted, the suspected attacker told Det. John Curcio of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office that shortly before the Parkland massacre, he had planned to go to a park and start shooting people. He described encountering police before because he was “shooting animals,” recounted trying to kill himself before the attack because of his “loneliness” and said he used Xanax and marijuana.
When asked by Curcio early in the interview if he wanted water, the suspect said: “I don’t deserve it.” He described hearing the male voice every day and said it got worse after his mother died a few months before the massacre. He said the voice told him to buy the AR-15 used in the attack.
“Personally, I think you’re using the demon as an excuse,” Curcio said at one point, according to the transcript. “You could have stopped the demon any time you want. You didn’t want to stop the demon.”
The suspect argued, insisting Curcio was wrong. At one point, when Curcio left the room, the suspect – apparently alone – is recorded saying, “I want to die.” At another point when Curcio left the room, he repeats over and over: “Why didn’t he kill me? Why didn’t he kill me? Why didn’t he kill me?”
At another point, his brother Zachary Cruz is brought in. He told the suspect that “people think you’re a monster” and asked, “Why did you do this?”
The suspect responded: “I’m sorry, dude.” The rest of his response is redacted.
After the Stoneman Douglas massacre, police found the suspected attacker in a neighborhood more than a mile from the campus. The suburban school had been transformed into a crime scene that even veteran law enforcement officials said was particularly gruesome. According to authorities, the suspected attacker dropped his gun and vest and walked off campus, blending in with the students who were fleeing.
Attorneys for the suspected gunman have acknowledged his guilt, focusing their efforts instead on arguing that he should be spared a death sentence and offering to have him plead guilty in exchange for life in prison without parole. Prosecutors have ignored these offers so far, saying they will seek the death penalty for the former Stoneman Douglas student, who was indicted on 17 counts of murder in the first degree and another 17 counts of attempted murder.
“This statement is just more proof of how severely damaged and broken a human being he is,” Howard Finkelstein, the Broward County public defender representing the suspect, wrote in an email Monday. “He is the most damaged and broken human being I have encountered in 40 years of doing this type of work. Everybody knew it.”
The transcript’s release, coming just days before students begin a new school year at Stoneman Douglas, is the latest disclosure officials have made since the massacre in Broward County, which set off a wave of investigations into how authorities reacted to the shooting itself and the litany of warning signs that preceded it.
Since the attack, authorities have released footage of the law enforcement response at the school, made public some 911 calls from the attack and published a timeline of what unfolded. In May, officials released video footage showing the 19-year-old suspect announcing his goal of becoming a school shooter and gloating about the infamy he would gain. Survivors of the massacre and their relatives have asked media groups not to give the alleged attacker the attention he described, echoing what others have said about limiting coverage of mass killers after previous attacks.
Officials who released the transcript on Monday will also make public an edited video of the interview this week. Last month, a judge in South Florida ordered authorities to release both the transcript and the video, albeit with some portions removed from public view.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer wrote in a July 26 order that “no substance of any confession that [Cruz] made to police during the instant interrogation is subject to public disclosure” – but she added that there were other parts of the statement “not considered” to be the substance of a confession. The suspect’s attorneys argued against releasing any part of the statement publicly, saying it would keep him from being able to get a fair trial before an impartial jury, while state officials offered a transcript for potential release with some parts redacted. Scherer said a few things they redacted should be released but otherwise agreed with what the state suggested and ordered the transcript’s disclosure.
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