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Deputy charged with child neglect for not doing enough during Parkland shooting

Investigators said there could be "no excuse" for his inaction during the massacre.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, 56, was arrested Tuesday, following a 15-month investigation into the law enforcement response to the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Peterson is charged with seven counts of neglect of a child, three counts of culpable negligence and one count of perjury.

"The FDLE investigation shows former Deputy Peterson did absolutely nothing to mitigate the MSD shooting that killed 17 children, teachers and staff and injured 17 others,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “There can be no excuse for his complete inaction and no question that his inaction cost lives.”

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said he was pleased with the FDLE and State Attorney's Office's "thorough investigation."

"All the facts related to Mr. Peterson’s failure to act during the MSD massacre clearly warranted both termination of employment and criminal charges," Tony said. "It’s never too late for accountability and justice."

Peterson worked as a school resource officer at the time of the shooting. FDLE says its investigation shows he refused to investigate the source of the gunshots, retreated while victims were being shot and directed arriving law enforcement officers to stay 500 feet away from the school.

Related: Lawyers for ex-deputy argue he didn't have to confront Parkland shooter; judge says otherwise

According to FDLE, agents interviewed 184 witnesses, reviewed hours of surveillance video and wrote 212 investigative reports related to the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting.

Peterson was arrested at the sheriff's office's headquarters and booked into the Broward County Main Jail. His bail was set at $102,000.  

If convicted on all charges, Peterson could face a combined prison sentence of nearly 100 years.

Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted a message harshly critical of Peterson, saying he "did nothing to protect the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during their hour of need."

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following statement on the matter:

“The Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting was a horrible tragedy and it is devastating to think that the loss of innocent lives of students and faculty could have been prevented. As a mother, I cannot imagine the heartbreak and pain the families of the victims and the whole Parkland community have felt every day since February 14, 2018. I want to thank the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Broward State Attorney's Office for investigating this tragedy and holding Scot Peterson responsible for his inaction.” 

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