Ballistics Experts to Reenact Parkland Massacre as Lawsuit Proceeds
PARKLAND, Fla. – Ballistics experts are set to reenact the 2018 Parkland massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Friday as part of a lawsuit alleging that a sheriff’s deputy failed in his duty to protect the victims. The reenactment aims to capture the sound of the gunfire, allowing technicians to determine what the deputy, Scot Peterson, heard during the attack. Peterson, who worked for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, has claimed that he didn’t hear all the shots and couldn’t pinpoint their location due to echoes. However, families of the victims argue that Peterson knew the shooter’s location but retreated out of cowardice.
The shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people and left 17 others wounded, sparked a nationwide movement for gun control. Nikolas Cruz, a former Stoneman Douglas student, pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to life in prison for the attack. Peterson, who was acquitted of felony child neglect and other charges related to his failure to act during the shooting, still faces a civil lawsuit.
During the reenactment, experts will fire live ammunition from the same spots as Cruz, using an identical AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. The sound of the gunfire will be recorded to determine its volume and direction. The reenactment will seek to disprove some of the statements made during Peterson’s criminal trial.
However, the admissibility of the recording as evidence in the civil trial has yet to be determined. The families and wounded parties are seeking unspecified damages. The reenactment will take place at the school, which is currently closed for summer break.
Peterson, who has maintained that he would have acted differently if he knew the shooter’s location, drew criticism for his actions during the shooting. While he didn’t testify at his criminal trial, he appeared in a 2018 interview with NBC’s Today Show, expressing his regret for not entering the building to protect the students.
Gunfire expert Robert Maher explained that the sound of gunshots is much sharper in person than it is when played through speakers. However, the reenactment may still provide valuable information regarding the volume and direction of the shots. University of Miami law professor Tamara Lave noted that the reenactment doesn’t have to be perfect but should accurately depict what Peterson heard to assist the jury in determining his actions during the shooting.
Ahead of the reenactment, a tour of the building where the shooting occurred will be led by South Florida congressmen Jared Moskowitz and Mario Diaz-Balart. The building, which has remained mostly untouched since the shooting, will be demolished after the reenactment. The tour will be followed by a meeting with family members and survivors.
The reenactment is expected to be an emotional experience for the Parkland community. Community wellness center Eagles’ Haven has organized programs to help residents cope with any triggered emotions. The center’s director, Sarah Franco, emphasized the importance of being with others who understand the trauma they have been through.
Friday’s reenactment is a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Parkland massacre. It will provide valuable insight into the actions and responsibilities of the sheriff’s deputy during the attack.
Original Story at apnews.com – 2023-08-04 10:07:32