Officer Testifies Against Deputy Who Stayed Outside During Parkland Massacre

Testimony Points to Failure in Protection

In a Florida courtroom on Tuesday, an officer provided emotional testimony against a former deputy who failed to enter the building and confront the gunman during the 2018 Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Officer Christopher Jordan, who raced to the scene as soon as he heard the gunshots, recounted the harrowing moments he encountered during the Parkland massacre where 17 people lost their lives. His testimony comes as part of the trial against former Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Scot Peterson, who faces multiple charges for his inaction during the mass shooting.

Jordan told the court that he saw Peterson crouched behind a concrete pillar while shots rang out from inside the building, and the deputy did not make any move to go inside and confront the shooter.

A Race Against Time to Save Lives

On that fateful day on February 14, 2018, Jordan said that he as well as several other officers had entered the school building within minutes of arriving on the scene. He recounted the chilling cries for help from injured students as they tried locating the shooter and saving lives. The officer’s testimony emphasized the crucial role of first responders in incidents like these, and how Peterson’s lack of response was a severe failure in his duties as a deputy.

The trial has been an opportunity for survivors and witnesses to share their experiences, shedding light on the devastating effects the tragedy had on the entire Parkland community.

Charges and Possible Sentence

Peterson, who had been assigned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as a resource officer, is facing 11 charges, including child neglect, perjury, and culpable negligence for his actions — or inactions — during the shooting. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.

The defense attorney argued that Peterson’s response was reasonable given that he believed the shots were coming from outside the building, a fact refuted by Jordan’s testimony. The trial continues as more survivors and first responders are expected to recount their experiences from that tragic day.

As the emotional testimonies continue to unfold, the outcome of the trial will certainly have significant consequences for both Peterson and the ongoing conversation surrounding school safety and the role of law enforcement during mass shootings.

Tags: Parkland Massacre, Scot Peterson Trial