Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer announced on Oct. 13 that a divided jury recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole as punishment for the Parkland school shooter on count 17 of first-degree murder.

Victim impact statements had many in the courtroom in tears on Thursday afternoon. The first witness was Anne Ramsay, the mother of Helena Ramsey, one of the 17 victims Nikolas Cruz killed on Feb. 14, 2018, at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s 1200 building.

PARKLAND, Fla. – Two years after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, communities across South Florida have come together to honor the victims. Loved ones and community members honored their memories Friday with a day of service. After attending a first responders breakfast hosted by students, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony spoke to reporters. Students like Liam Kiernan, who was on campus during the shooting two years ago, said the memory is still fresh. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Liam Kiernan recalls being on campus during the 2018 mass shooting that killed 17 people, Feb. 14, 2020, in Parkland, Florida.