Florida Governor Firing Sheriff Scott Israel Over Parkland Shooting Response
Sheriff Scott Israel Image by Getty
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to suspend and then replace Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel over the public safety department’s response to the school shooting in Parkland last year, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
DeSantis will share the news Friday afternoon, sources told the Sun Sentinel. He’s likely to name former Coral Springs Police Sergeant Gregory Tony as the next sheriff.
“We have an event that we’re doing tomorrow,” DeSantis’ office said Thursday night. “The governor’s going to issue a statement on holding government officials accountable.”
Seventeen students and staff were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School nearly a year ago. According to the Miami Herald, a state panel investigating the shooting found that sheriff’s deputies weren’t properly trained, and that they took cover to protect themselves instead of pursuing the shooter.
Tony is president of Blue Spear Solutions, a security company that specializes in active shooter and mass casualty training, according to the Herald.
Andrew Pollack, the father of Meadow Pollack, who died in the shooting, told Politico Florida that Tony, a friend, had retired as the “most-decorated sergeant” in Coral Springs.
Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
