Crimes and Courts
Florida shooter’s brother Zachary Cruz held on $500,000 in school trespass
Published
8 years agoon
By
Willie DavidMIAMI — A judge set an unusually high $500,000 bond on Tuesday and imposed a host of other restrictions for the brother of the Florida school shooting suspect who was charged with trespassing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
A prosecutor said that Zachary Cruz, 18, expressed admiration for his brother Nikolas Cruz’s fame since the Feb. 14 shooting and that they had discussed whether it might attract girls and pen pals.
“He has been heard observing how popular (Nikolas’) name is now,” said Assistant State Attorney Sarahnell Murphy at a hearing.
“Weeks after his brother murdered, injured and terrorized at the school, (Zachary) was there,” she said. “Many (parents) kept their children home today. They have again been terrorized.”
Prosecutors said it was the third time he had visited the campus even though he was warned to stay away.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Zachary Cruz on Monday afternoon, saying he rode his skateboard onto the campus. He is in the same Fort Lauderdale jail where Nikolas Cruz is housed.
Joseph Kimok, who is representing Zachary Cruz, said the bond and conditions were far out of proportion to the trespassing offense.
“He is being held for who he is related to, not for anything he did,” Kimok said.
According to an arrest report, Zachary Cruz told officers he came to the school to “reflect on the school shooting and soak it all in.” He did not resist arrest and the report made no mention of any weapons.
Trespassing is a misdemeanor that usually carries only a $25 bond. But Murphy asked for $750,000 and a host of conditions, most of which the judge approved.
Broward County Judge Kim Theresa Mollica ordered Zachary Cruz to wear an ankle monitor and stay away from schools – particularly Stoneman Douglas High – if he is released.
The judge also ordered a search for weapons and ammunition at the Palm Beach County home where he is living with a family friend, and he is not to visit his brother in jail.
Zachary and Nikolas shared the same biological mother but had different fathers. Both were adopted at very young ages by Roger and Lynda Cruz, who moved them into their Parkland home. Lynda Cruz died in November and their father died some years earlier.
Zachary Cruz, who turned 18 a week after the school shooting, has been living in Lantana, Florida, with a family friend, Rocxanne Deschamps, since their mother’s death.
At a news conference Tuesday in New York City, Deschamps described being neighbors with the Cruz family in Parkland and how her son played with the two boys, whom she often cared for and took on outings. In October 2016, she saw a number of guns in Nikolas Cruz’s room she described as military-style, and became concerned about him and the weapons. By this time, Deschamps also had a 5-year-old son.
“I explained to Nikolas that I was concerned about my young child and I could not have him be around loaded guns or any weapons where bullets could be placed in guns,” she said in her first public comments since the shooting.
Just before Lynda Cruz died suddenly last November of pneumonia, Deschamps promised to take care of the boys. She knew Nikolas Cruz had mental issues and obsessions with weapons, and implored him to get professional help and take medication but he refused. Her calls to police about his behavior resulted in no action.
He eventually moved in with another family when Deschamps said she told him to choose between his guns and her home.
“I did everything I could to warn law enforcement about what could happen,” she said. “Unfortunately, although I did everything I could, I was not able to stop this tragedy from taking place.”
Nikolas Cruz was living with a different family when the Stoneman Douglas shooting took place. His attorney has said he will plead guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder if prosecutors will waive the death penalty, which they have refused to do.
Police records show Zachary Cruz has also had a troubled life, including a juvenile arrest record for theft. His mother, Lynda Cruz, made frequent calls to the Broward Sheriff’s Office about him running away, refusing to go to school, being rude and disrespectful and attempting to break things in their Parkland home. Some of the calls go back to when Zachary was 11 years old.
Crimes and Courts
Orange County Sheriff: Teen Arrested After Fellow Student Over School Altercation
Published
1 month agoon
October 10, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – On Thursday, October 9, Orange County deputies responded to a shooting at Vogt-Meloon Park on West Oak Ridge Road. The incident left 16-year-old Pinien Dalmacy dead and 15-year-old Jacori Redding facing charges that could change his life forever. Both were sophomores at Oak Ridge High School, with bright futures now tragically derailed.
Altercation Began at School
According to witnesses, the two teens had a confrontation earlier in the day on campus. Redding reportedly bumped into Dalmacy in the hallway. When Dalmacy asked him to apologize, Redding refused. The disagreement escalated, and both agreed to meet after school to fight at Vogt-Meloon Park.
Tragic Shooting at the Park
Once at the basketball court, the argument turned deadly. Deputies say Redding shot Dalmacy during the altercation. After the shooting, Redding ran back to Oak Ridge High School. School Resource Officer Deputy Nelson Rodriguez acted swiftly, coordinating with school officials to secure the suspect in the cafeteria. Deputies later found the firearm in Redding’s bag.
Sheriff Mina’s Statement
“My heart aches for Pinyon’s family, who are grieving this unimaginable loss,” said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. “And I’m angry that something as small as bumping into someone in the halls of a high school can result in a shooting death.”
Investigation and Community Appeal
Jacori Redding has been arrested, and a juvenile custody order was issued for manslaughter with a firearm and possession of a firearm on school property.
Detectives believe several witnesses were present during the shooting and that videos may exist. Authorities are asking anyone with information or footage to contact investigators at ocsoinfo@ocsofl.com.
Central Florida News
State Attorney Monique Worrell Responds to Court’s Denial of Bond for Former Deputy in Fatal Shooting Case
Published
2 months agoon
September 5, 2025By
Willie DavidORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – State Attorney Monique Worrell issued a statement following the court’s decision to deny bond for Anthony Shea, a former deputy charged in connection with a fatal shooting.
Court’s Decision Reflects Seriousness of Charges
“The Court’s decision today to deny bond for Anthony Shea reflects the seriousness of the charges he faces,” Worrell said. Shea remains in custody as legal proceedings move forward in a case that has drawn significant public and law enforcement attention.
Honoring the Victim’s Life and Service
“Beyond the legal proceedings, this case is about honoring the life of a woman who dedicated herself to protecting others,” Worrell added. “This was a tragic loss of life that has deeply impacted the law enforcement community, as well as our circuit.”
Commitment to Justice
Worrell emphasized her office’s ongoing commitment to ensuring justice is served. “We continue to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim during this painful time. Our office remains steadfast in ensuring that her service, her sacrifice, and her memory are met with the justice they deserve.”
____________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
Deputies: Home and SUV Smashed by Heavy Machinery in Apparent Act of Revenge
Published
4 months agoon
July 27, 2025By
Willie DavidCLERMONT, Fla. (FNN) – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shocking case of property destruction in Clermont, where a suspect reportedly used heavy machinery to demolish part of a home and an SUV—then left behind a profanity-laced message on the side of the house.
Deputies responded to the scene near Pine Island and Montevista Roads around 7 a.m. Friday, where they found a home with multiple large holes in its structure and debris scattered across the property. A nearby SUV had its roof crushed and windows shattered, consistent with damage from heavy equipment, possibly an excavator.
One side of the home featured a message scrawled in large letters, including a person’s name followed by the phrase: “You [expletive] with the wrong girl.”
“It is heartbreaking to see a residence vandalized this way,” said Stephanie Earley, spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “We are actively investigating to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice.”
Authorities confirmed no injuries occurred and that no machinery was found at the scene upon their arrival. The motive appears personal in nature, but the case remains under active investigation.
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