Sheriff: Fla. school resource deputy 'never went in' to confront shooter, resigns after investigation

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (KTRK) -- The school resource deputy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has resigned following the school massacre, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel confirmed.

In a press conference Thursday, Israel said the armed deputy, Scott Peterson, was on campus during the shooting but failed to go inside to engage the accused shooter, Nikolas Cruz.
[Ads /]
The decision to suspend Peterson was made after witness statements, video and Peterson's own statement, Israel said.

"What I saw was a deputy arrive at the west side of Building 12, take a position and he never went in," Israel added.

Instead of facing the suspension, Peterson decided to resign/retire.

Cruz is accused of killing 17 people in the nation's deadliest school shooting since a gunman attacked an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
[Ads /]


RELATED: 17 dead after gunman opens fire at Florida high school


RELATED: Time for action: Florida shooting survivors meet lawmakers