Ex-Parkland Officer, Scot Peterson, Acquitted on All Counts Related to 2018 School Massacre

In a significant verdict, Scot Peterson, the former school resource officer present during the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, has been cleared of all charges. The decision came after an extended jury deliberation of more than 19 hours, and exonerates Peterson from accusations of inaction during one of the deadliest high school shootings in U.S. history.

Peterson, aged 60, faced a total of seven counts of felony child neglect, three counts of culpable negligence, and one count of perjury. The verdict, read in court, elicited a visibly emotional response from Peterson who was seen wiping away tears and later stated to reporters, “I’ve got my life back.”

Peterson’s defense argued that the former deputy could not identify the source of the shots during the shooting, and so did not enter the 1200 building, the epicenter of the attack. Peterson has maintained his innocence, shifting the blame to the perpetrator of the mass shooting.

The charges against Peterson came from the fatalities and injuries of eight students and two school employees within the 1200 building. However, Peterson was not implicated for victims on the first floor, as he had not yet reached the scene, and there were no fatalities on the second floor.

The case is noteworthy, not only for its outcome but for the breadth of expectations it has cast on law enforcement in America’s continuing struggle with gun violence.

However, the ruling has provoked disappointment among some victims’ families, many of whom were already aggrieved by the decision last year to spare the shooter the death penalty. The shooter, who pled guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder, is currently serving a life sentence without parole.

Peterson’s defense highlighted the challenging circumstances and variables during the attack. He was on the scene for the last 4 minutes and 15 seconds of the shooting, which lasted about 6 1/2 minutes in total. Without a bulletproof vest or rifle, Peterson called for measures to lock down the school, arguing that he was not negligent but actively responding as the attack unfolded.

This high-stakes trial not only magnifies the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement officers in high-risk situations but also reveals the ongoing pain and debate around America’s gun violence epidemic.