A judge has released the Department of Children and Families records involving Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old man accused of killing 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
On Monday, the judge also said they will redact the names of the DCF workers involved but not their titles.
“If there are shortcomings in DCF, the public has a right to know,” the judge said.
DCF said they wanted the records released, and they believed the public should see them. The judge ultimately agreed.
In the DCF report, an investigator wrote, “Mr. Cruz was on Snapchat cutting both of his arms. Mr. Cruz has fresh cuts on both his arms. Mr. Cruz has stated he plans to go out and buy a gun. It is unknown what he is buying the gun for. A year ago, Mr. Cruz had hate signs on a book bag, stating ‘I hate [expletive].'”
The report added Cruz drew a Nazi symbol and had been Baker Acted before. A mobile crisis unit was also requested to a school Cruz attended at the request of counselors, the report said. He was evaluated and determined to not be a threat to himself or others.
Despite Cruz’s behavior, the report concluded the “final level of risk is low.” DCF closed their investigation less than a month after it began.
Cruz appeared in court Monday afternoon, as his defense attorneys asked a judge to keep information about their meetings with him in a jail confidential. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said she was in favor of openness whenever possible.
During his court appearance, Cruz kept his head down and did not appear to make eye contact with the judge or others in the courtroom. However, he responded briefly to someone on the defense team.
No formal decision has been made on if the prosecution will pursue the death penalty.