UPDATE: A total of 17 staff and students have been killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
According to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, 12 victims were killed in the school, two victims were killed outside of the building, another was killed on a nearby street corner and an additional two victims died in the hospital.
The suspect has been identified as Nikolas Cruz, 19, who was a former student at the high school, but was expelled due to disciplinary reasons, PEOPLE reports.
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At least one death and an estimated 30 to 50 injuries have been reported after a gunman entered a Florida high school.
On Wednesday afternoon, authorities were called to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkdale, about 45 miles north of Miami.
According to CBS News, students were evacuated to West Glades Middle School, where it was precautionary put on lock down.
The Coral Springs police department tweeted: "We understand you are worried for your children," in an effort to reassure terrified families.
Worried parents of Douglas HS students, while this is Parkland scene (handled by BSO) we are assisting. We understand you are worried for your children (and nearby Middle School children, which was put on lock down as a precaution).
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14, 2018
The school district released a statement, revealing the incident occurred close to the high school's dismissal time.
Student Jeiella Dodoo said she heard the school's fire alarm went off at about 2:30 p.m., followed by six gunshots. She described the scene as chaotic, and heard from a friend that her classmates were already being loaded up in ambulances.
"That's when we knew it was really real, there was an actual shooter on campus," Dodoo said.
Authorities said the suspect is in custody, and have described him as a former student and member of the JROTC program, USA Today reports.
While the White House released a statement, several details still have yet to emerge.
"The President has been made aware of the school shooting in Florida," Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said. "We are monitoring the situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected."
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during this senseless tragedy.
