Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who faced criticism over his department’s response to the deadly Parkland, FL, school shooting last year, was officially suspended by newly sworn-in Gov. Ron DeSantis, multiple sources told Fox News Tuesday.
The news followed an earlier report from the Miami Herald that Israel had informed his top commanders that he'd be removed from the post as a result of his response.
17 people were killed during the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The suspect was identified as Nikolas Cruz.
Calls for Israel to resign came shortly after the fatal incident occurred and in April, the Broward Sheriff's Office Deputies Association voted "no confidence" in him. The association cited the national criticism surrounding Israel and his office following the shooting.
Israel, 61, has vowed to fight any effort to strip him of his office. He maintains that while mistakes were made in responding to the shootings, they were not serious enough to warrant his suspension or removal from office, reports the Miami Herald.
