LOC20:22
17:22 GMT
WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (KUNA) -- President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he plans to visit Florida in consideration of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida where 17 were killed and 15 others were hospitalized.
"To every parent teacher and child who is hurting so badly we are here for you whatever you need whatever we can do to ease your pain," said Trump. "Join together as one American family your suffering is our burden."
The president called for the need for more secure schools, tackling "the difficult issue on mental health," and a "culture that embraces the dignity of life."
The suspect, Nikolas Cruz, 19, legally bought an AR-15 rifle which he used in the shooting.
Republicans have argued that the individual has an undiagnosed mental health problem which otherwise would have prevented him from purchasing the weapon.
Yet, Democrats have continued to call for widespread gun reform such as a ban on semiautomatic weapons.
The FBI received two tips in 2017 that were allegedly connected to Cruz. One included a YouTube comment left by a user with the same unique name spelling as the suspect which said "I'm going to be a professional school shooter."
"No other information was included with that comment which would indicate a time, location or the true identity of the person who made the comment," Special FBI Agent Robert Lasky said during a news conference. "The FBI conducted database reviews, checks but was unable to further identify the person who actually made the comment."
Two faculty members were confirmed to have been among the dead including the school's Athletic Director, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters at the briefing.
He indicated that they have received copy cat threats at other schools in the area.
"We want to make sure this never happens again," he said.
Earlier in the day, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made separate comments about the shooting where he stressed the country must "confront the problem."
"It is not good if we have gun laws that say criminals can't carry guns that never get enforced. We intend to enforce our laws," Sessions said.
He added, "This situation that we're seeing just cannot continue. We will take such action as we are able to take. We have to reverse these trends that we are seeing in these shootings."
On the other side of the aisle Democratic House Minority Leader said in a tweet, "Of course we pray for the families. But this can't be just a moment of silence. No one's political survival is more important than saving American lives. We must act to end gun violence."
I would rather pass gun safety legislation than win the election" she said to reporters later, suggesting the need to have an immediate select committee on gun safety "right now." (pickup previous)
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