Deputy Who Didn't Go Into Parkland School During Shooting: "I'm No Coward"

The Broward campus deputy who resigned after receiving tons of criticism for not entering Marjory Stoneman Douglas High during the massacre that killed 17 people says he is no coward — and that he did not believe gunfire was happening inside the building.

Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson said his actions “were appropriate under the circumstances,” according to a statement released through his lawyer Monday,

Peterson “heard gunshots but believed those gunshots were originating from outside of the buildings on the school campus,” according to the release. 

“BSO trains its officers that in the event of outdoor gunfire one is to seek cover and assess the situation in order to communicate what one observes with other law enforcement.”

“Allegations that Mr. Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue,” according to the statement sent from the office of Fort Lauderdale attorney Joseph DiRuzzo.

Officers are taught to engage active shooters immediately as opposed to waiting for backup.


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