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Ex-SRO charged with child neglect for ‘inaction’ during Parkland massacre

PARKLAND, Fla. (WFLA) – The former Broward County deputy who was the school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during last year’s deadly mass shooting has been arrested on several counts of child neglect.

The FDLE announced Tuesday they had arrested 56-year-old Scot Peterson on seven counts of neglect of a child, three counts of culpable negligence and one count of perjury. The arrest is the result of a 15-month investigation into law enforcement’s actions during the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas.

“The FDLE investigation shows former Deputy Peterson did absolutely nothing to mitigate the MSD shooting that killed 17 children, teachers and staff and injured 17 others,” FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a statement. “There can be no excuse for his complete inaction and no question that his inaction cost lives.”

Authorities say a former student walked into Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018 and opened fire. The FDLE investigation found Peterson refused to investigate the source of the gunshots and retreated while victims were being shot, a spokesperson says.

Investigators say Peterson also directed other law enforcement officers responding to the scene to stay 500 feet away from the building.

Peterson was arrested and booked into the Broward County Jail. The Broward State Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case.