PARKLAND, Fla. – A judge ruled that a lawsuit filed by the families of the 17 people killed and other victims of the Parkland, Florida, school massacre against a former sheriff’s deputy can proceed to trial. The judge’s decision rejected the deputy’s motion to dismiss the case before the trial. Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips stated that a jury should decide whether the fired Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson displayed a “wanton and willful disregard” for the students’ and teachers’ safety when he failed to confront the shooter during the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The families, who accused Peterson of cowardice, are seeking an unspecified amount from Peterson and the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The trial for the lawsuit is expected to begin sometime this year. Peterson has previously been acquitted of criminal charges, but the level of proof required in a lawsuit is significantly lower.
In a recent ruling, Judge Phillips stated that a “reasonable trier of fact could find that the deputy’s failure to confront the shooter… constituted a conscious and indifference to consequences” for those inside the building. On the other hand, Peterson’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The families and survivors have already settled claims with the FBI and the Broward school district for a combined $153 million but are proceeding with the lawsuit against Peterson, which is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle stemming from the tragic 2018 shooting.
This case has sparked a debate about the legal duty of law enforcement officers to protect others from third-party harm and has raised questions about the extent of Peterson’s duty in the situation at hand. Regardless of the legal and social implications, the judge’s ruling is a step towards justice and accountability for the victims and their families.
In conclusion, despite being acquitted of criminal charges, former Deputy Scot Peterson is now facing a lawsuit over his failure to confront the shooter during the Parkland school massacre. The families of the victims and survivors are seeking justice through the civil trial, which aims to hold Peterson accountable for his actions during the tragic 2018 shooting.