CFO Jimmy Patronis: Former Broward Deputy Scot Peterson Failed MSD Students
6/4/2019
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released the following statement regarding the arrest of former Broward County Deputy and Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Resource Officer Scot Peterson:
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “While so many of our brave first responders ran toward danger on this absolutely horrific day, Deputy Scot Peterson disgraced the oath he took and failed the students, teachers and families of Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Those 17 lives can never be brought back. What’s most important now is that those responsible of negligence are held accountable, and today that happened.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the incredible work of FDLE on this case and applaud the team at the Sun-Sentinel for their tireless work to bring the facts of this case to light. I sincerely appreciate each and every brave first responder who stepped up that day to serve and protect.”
During the investigation, FDLE agents interviewed 184 witnesses, reviewed countless hours of video surveillance, and wrote 212 investigative reports totaling over 800 hours on the case to determine the actions of law enforcement as they responded to the February 14, 2018, school shooting. FDLE agents received the full cooperation and assistance from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Coral Springs Police Department and all other agencies that responded to the school shooting.
Following an investigation by FDLE, former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, 56, was arrested in Broward County today on seven counts of neglect of a child, three counts of culpable negligence and one count of perjury. The arrest comes after a 15-month investigation into the actions of law enforcement following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.