Families Unleash Grief and Anger on Parkland School Shooter Before He’s Sentenced to Life in Prison

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz is escorted into the courtroom for a hearing regarding possible jury misconduct during deliberations in the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 14, 2022. Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Families of the 17 children and staff members Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz murdered cursed him to hell, wished him a painful death and called him a coward Tuesday as they got their one chance to address him directly before he is sentenced to life in prison.

For hours, parents, wives, siblings, children, and some of the 17 Cruz also wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day 2018 stood 20 feet from him. They looked the shackled killer in the eye and gave vehement, angry, and sometimes tearful statements.