Parkland mass shooting responder testifies against deputy who remained outside.

During the ongoing trial of former Broward County deputy Scot Peterson, who is accused of not confronting the shooter who killed 17 individuals at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, a Coral Springs officer testified on Friday that Peterson had received information about the shooter’s whereabouts but had failed to act upon it. Richard Best, who was one of the officers that rushed into the school building during the shooting, narrated to the court what Peterson had shared with him while outside of the classroom building. Best said, “I said, ‘Hey brother, what do we got?’ Peterson answered, ‘Gunshots second or third floor.’” This account contradicted Peterson’s previous statements to investigators that he could not tell where the gunshots were being fired from.

Peterson, who withdrew from his job as a deputy in 2019, could be sentenced to almost a century in prison if found guilty of child neglect. The most serious charges against him are seven counts of felony child neglect, which require prosecutors to demonstrate that he was a legal caregiver to the juvenile students. Jurors would then have to determine whether Peterson made a “reasonable effort” to protect the children or failed to provide the necessary care. This case marks the first time a U.S. officer is being charged for failing to act during a school shooting.

During Best’s testimony, he emphasized the importance of responding as quickly as possible to a shooting situation. Best remarked, “It is understood that the longer you wait, the more damage is being done. Every time you heard a gunshot, somebody might be dead.” He also underscored his training as a police officer that requires him to risk his life to stop a threat and render aid.

Peterson is not prosecuted in connection with the 11 deaths that occurred before he reached the building. But court records reveal that he arrived at the building with his gun drawn just 73 seconds before the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, reached the third floor of the building where he killed six people. Interestingly, Arman Borghei, a student who was on the third floor that day, recounted that he saw Peterson below with his gun drawn, but Peterson did not approach the building.

Following the incident, Cruz pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Peterson’s trial started on Wednesday and could last up to two months. Meanwhile, authorities in Texas are investigating officers in the town of Uvalde who did not confront the shooter who killed 19 elementary students and two teachers last year. However, none of them have been charged.