[DailyMail] - Nikolas Cruz, 19, was ordered held without bail during his first court appearance on Thursday
- The teen faces 17 counts of premeditated murder - charges that carry the death penalty in Florida
- Cruz killed 17 and injured more than a dozen when he opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Wednesday afternoon
- Details are beginning to surface about Cruz, whose adoptive mother died in November from pneumonia, adoptive father died several years ago
- Cruz was kicked out of the the high school last year for allegedly getting into a fight with boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend, was going to school for at-risk youth
- A man also reported Cruz to the FBI last year for writing an online post saying he was going to be a shooter
- He has also been connected to a white supremacist organization, the Republic of Florida, though local sheriff rejects
- When gunfire rang out Wednesday afternoon, several students said they knew the gunman would be Cruz
- Many pointed to Cruz's disturbing social media,where he allegedly posted pictures of animals he killed
- President Trump said in a tweet Thursday morning that there were signs that the shooter was 'mentally disturbed' - and entreated Americans to report similar people to the authorities
- Defense attorneys said Cruz suffers from autism, depression and significant psychological problems
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome also suggested
|