Turkey strongly condemns Florida high school shooting

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Ankara expressed "deep sorrow" over Wednesday's shooting in a Florida high school that claimed 17 lives, Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"We strongly condemn the attack and convey condolences to the American people and families of those who lost their lives during the incident," the ministry said in a statement.

At least 17 people were killed Wednesday when a lone gunman opened fire at a high school in Florida, according to police.

The victims are a mix of students and adults, officials said.

Twelve victims were slain inside Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida; two others were killed outside the school; one was killed on the street and two others died at a local hospital. Some victims are undergoing surgery, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters.

Israel identified the shooter as 19-year-old Nikolaus Cruz, a former Stoneman Douglas student who Israel said had been expelled from school for disciplinary reasons.