Florida prosecutors seeking death penalty in school shooting

MIAMI (AP) — Florida prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz in the fatal shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The office of Broward County State Attorney Michael Satz filed the formal notice Tuesday. The 19-year-old Cruz is scheduled for formal arraignment Wednesday on a 34-count indictment, including 17 first-degree murder charges.

TRENDING NOW:

• SPECIAL ELECTION: Things to know about Tuesday's 18th Congressional District special election
• Lawmaker proposes fining parents $500 for child's bullying
• 65-year-old woman has had pet tortoise 56 years
• VIDEO: Police: Key witness helped officers make drug bust at apartment complex

Cruz's attorneys have said he would plead guilty if the death penalty was not pursued in the Valentine's Day massacre. The action by prosecutors Tuesday does not necessarily mean a plea deal will not be reached.

The only other penalty option for Cruz is life in prison with no possibility of parole.

Associated Press