Flags flown at half-staff for Parkland victims

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida government buildings, parks and other facilities will fly their flags at half-staff on Monday in honor of the 14 students and three staff members killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said in his proclamation that the observance of the shooting’s fourth anniversary “will continue to honor the memory of the innocent Floridians lost on that tragic day” at the Parkland school.

“We continue to convey our deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and Parkland community for their loss,” he said. He asked that all Floridians pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. Monday.

At nearby New River Middle School, teens spent the morning writing and posting messages of kindness and words of encouragement on wishing well trees they had created for the memorial.

One of them, 14-year-old Emma Boyer, lost a friend in the shooting. Boyer said she makes it her mission each day to spread acts of kindness.

"You felt the sadness and the terrible tragedy," Boyer said. "Creating this event shows how much [they] were appreciated, and it shows how kindness can help a community in a hard time."

Those killed in the attack were students Alyssa Alhadeff, Martin Duque, Nicholas Dworet, Jaime Guttenberg, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup and Peter Wang.

Also murdered were teacher Scott Beigel, athletic director Chris Hixon and assistant football coach and security guard Aaron Feis.

The killer pleaded guilty in October to their murders. The penalty trial that will decide whether he receives the death penalty or life in prison is scheduled to begin in April.