UPDATE 3 - Multiple victims reported in US school shooting

ADDS REPORTED ID, SENATOR SPEECH

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - At least 14 people were injured following a shooting Wednesday at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, according to police.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson told NBC News that multiple people were killed. The exact number of fatalities has not been officially confirmed, but media reports said at least two people were killed.

"This is catastrophic," Broward Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters.

His office said victims were being transported to local hospitals.

Deputies are on the scene and a suspected shooter was taken into custody, according to authorities.

Israel identified the suspect as an 18-year-old male former student, adding he was arrested off-campus without incident. Multiple news outlets identified the suspect as Nicolas de Jesus Cruz.

People are being advised to avoid the area as the scene is still active. Footage appearing on television and social media depicts students being escorted out of the high school in small groups amid a heavy police presence.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy took to the Senate floor as the situation unfolded to slam congressional inaction on gun control.

“This happens nowhere else, other than the United States of America; this epidemic of mass slaughter; this scourge of school shooting after school shooting,” he said. “It only happens here. Not because of coincidence, not because of bad luck, but as a consequence of our inaction. We are responsible for a level of mass atrocity that happens in this country with zero parallel anywhere else.”

President Donald Trump phoned Florida Governor Rick Scott to offer federal assistance if it is needed, the White House said in a statement.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen also phoned Scott as well as other state and local officials, the White House said.

Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson called the shooting "heartbreaking" on Twitter, sending her thoughts and prayers to the victims.

"It is heartbreaking that these violent incidents continue to take place in schools, a place where our children should feel and be the most safe!" she added.

This story is developing.