- Text messages sent during the shooting at a Florida high school on Wednesday and shared on social media depict the harrowing crisis that unfolded.
- One father advised his 14-year-old son about responding to an active-shooter situation.
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Students at the Florida high school sent terrifying, heartbreaking texts during the shooting: 'My teacher died ... He's sitting in the door way'
One father advised his 14-year-old son about responding to an active-shooter situation.
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Text messages sent during Wednesday's shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and shared on social media depict the harrowing crisis that unfolded.
The shooting left 17 people dead and 14 others injured. Victims included students and staff members.
"If I don't make it I love you and I appreciated everything you did for me," one student wrote to a parent, according to a photo posted by Chabeli Herrera, a reporter for the Miami Herald.
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"Don't talk that way," the parent replied. "The cops are all over."
The student hid in a bathroom for two hours and was eventually rescued, Herrera said on Twitter.
While hiding in a bathroom ... @ Chabeli Herrera
"All ok? Ben said they heard a couple of gunshots coming from Stoneman douglas," the father wrote, according to a photo posted by Carli Teproff, another Miami Herald reporter.
"Yeah there was a couple I heard too," the son replied.
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"Ok. Is it all over?" the father said. "Mom wants to come get you now. Is that even possible?"
"It's not over we are on lockdown," the son said. "No it's not possible. You could get hurt."
"Ok. Stay safe buddy. Love you," the father said, adding: "Be safe man. Stay hidden or play dead if there is an active shooter."
Parent's conversation with ... @ Carli Teproff
Teproff said the son was reunited with his father.
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Father who sent text to son... @ Carli Teproff
A pair of siblings who were hiding on different floors in the school texted back and forth, according to screenshots posted on Twitter.
One brother reassured the other that they would make it out of the school alive. The other said, "My teacher died ... He's sitting in the door way."
Scariest part of it all was... @ Uncle Sam Zeif
Speaking to a local news outlet, another father of a student read text messages from his child.
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"We're in a real code red, Dad," he said. "Get me ASAP. It's not a drill. I hear gunshots."
Communication among law-enforcement officials on scanners during the shooting also shed light on the horrifying situation.
Broward County Public Schools said on Twitter: "Our hearts are with the students, families, staff and the entire Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community as we deal with this tragedy. We'll provide continuous support for all of the students and families impacted by this heartbreaking situation."
Police have charged Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student at the high school, in the shooting.
Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida said on Thursday that the gunman had done "enormous preparation" for the act and was equipped with a gas mask and smoke grenades.
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The gunman is also believed to have intentionally set off fire alarms "so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall," Nelson said on CNN.
"It is clear attack was designed & executed to maximize loss of life," Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said on Twitter.
The school enrolled 3,208 students between grades nine and 12, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
Michelle Mark contributed reporting.
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