Nikolas Cruz appeared in court Wednesday and pled guilty to the murder of 17 people in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.
Cruz pled to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the spree that killed 14 students and three staff members in 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Cruz, now 23, was 19 at the time of the killings and was a former student whose history of mental health and behavioral issues led to his expulsion.
The Broward State’s Attorney Office called the murders “cold, calculated and premeditated” in official court documents.
After being given permission to address the victims of his acts of violence and their families, Cruz said, “I am very sorry for what I did, and I have to live with it every day. If I were to get a second chance, I would do everything in my power to help others.”
Cruz added, “I hate drugs, and I believe this country would be better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana.” In a statement to the police at the time of his arrest, Cruz admitted to using marijuana and Xanax heavily as a way to cope with developmental delays and that he tried to intentionally overdose more than once.
In 2018, about a year after having been expelled, Cruz entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School carrying a legally-purchased AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and multiple magazines shortly before the end of the school day. After pulling the fire alarm, he began firing on students and teachers.
Further investigation after his capture revealed a cellphone video in which Cruz talked about his murderous plt.
“When you see me on the news, you’ll know who I am. You’re all going to die. Pew pew pew. I can’t wait,” Cruz said in the video.
Cruz’s case now moves to the penalty phase. Prosecutors have already vowed that they would seek the death penalty.
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