fb-pixel Skip to main content

Chilling photos from the Florida shooting suspect’s Instagram account

By Rob DeCola Globe Staff,February 15, 2018, 12:09 p.m.

In the wake of the rampage that left 17 dead at a Florida high school, disturbing images posted by suspect Nikolas Cruz to Instagram have emerged — leaving some wondering whether the posts were warning signs of the violence to come.

An orphaned 19-year-old with a troubled past and his own AR-15 rifle, Cruz was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday morning following the deadliest school shooting in the United States in five years.

Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that Cruz legally purchased the assault weapon used in the attack.

The following are photos that were posted to Cruz’s Instagram account.

Advertisement

This photo was used as the profile picture on the Instagram account of Nikolas Cruz.
This photo was used as the profile picture on the Instagram account of Nikolas Cruz. Instagram/Associated Press
Weapons, including an assault rifle and scoped long guns, were displayed on a bed in this post from the Instagram account of Nikolas Cruz.
Weapons, including an assault rifle and scoped long guns, were displayed on a bed in this post from the Instagram account of Nikolas Cruz.Instagram/Associated Press
A weapon was held in a photo posted on Cruz’s Instagram account.
A weapon was held in a photo posted on Cruz’s Instagram account.Instagram/Associated Press
A hand could be seen holding a long gun with an attached scope.
A hand could be seen holding a long gun with an attached scope.Instagram/Associated Press
A person held a box of ammunition in one of the photos.
A person held a box of ammunition in one of the photos.Instagram/Associated Press
One of the Instagram posts showed a target with bullet holes in it.
One of the Instagram posts showed a target with bullet holes in it.Instagram/Associated Press

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Boston Globe video