© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
LIVE BLOG: Updates on Hurricane Milton

DeSantis Maintains Israel Responsible For Bad Response To Parkland Shooting

Former Gov. Rick Scott with now suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and Supt. Rob Runcie at a 2018 press conference following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.
PBS NewsHour screenshot
Former Gov. Rick Scott with now suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and Supt. Rob Runcie at a 2018 press conference following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.
Former Gov. Rick Scott with now suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and Supt. Rob Runcie at a 2018 press conference following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.
Credit PBS NewsHour screenshot
/
PBS NewsHour screenshot
Former Gov. Rick Scott with now suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and Supt. Rob Runcie at a 2018 press conference following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis maintains suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel failed in his department’s response to the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This, despite a recent ruling by a special master that says DeSantis didn’t prove Israel’s policies and training were inconsistent with state law enforcement standards.

Ahead of the Florida Senate convening Oct. 21st in a special session to weigh whether to reinstate Israel, DeSantis is making his feelings on the matter known.

“I am so glad the Senate is finally going to vote on this thing," DeSantis told reporters Thursday following a press conference in Mexico Beach.

"There’s no doubt there was incompetence and neglect of duty and Florida law says the sheriff is responsible for the conduct. So, I think the senators will separate the wheat from the chaff on that and I think they’ll do the right thing."

DeSantis calls the meeting "an opportunity for accountability."

The Broward Sheriffs Department has been criticized for not immediately engaging the shooter in the school and opting to stay outside. Israel has claimed his suspension was politically motivated. 

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit .

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.