Parkland school shooting verdict: Count 6 in penalty phase is Alyssa Alhadeff

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer announced on Oct. 13 that a divided jury recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole as punishment for the Parkland school shooter on count six of first-degree murder.

Count six of 17 in the penalty phase is for the murder of Alyssa Alhadeff who Nikolas Cruz killed on Feb. 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer.

Alyssa, 14, a freshman, was in classroom 1216 when she was shot eight times and she died of her wounds, according to Chief Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz. The honors student was a winning debater, a star soccer midfielder, and a regular volunteer at homeless shelters.

Dr. Rebecca M. McDougall, who performed the autopsy, said during her testimony in court on July 26, that Alyssa suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the left side of her chest and wounds to her left hand, right shoulder, right arm, and right upper chest.

Interactive graphic: Understanding the choices jurors made on the verdict form

Watch videos of some of the testimony in court related to her case:

Alyssa’s mother, Broward County School Board member Lori Alhadeff, reads her impact statement

Alyssa’s father, Dr. Ilan Mark Alhadeff, reads his impact statement

Dr. Rebecca M. McDougall testifies on autopsy

Interactive graphic on the penalty phase


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.