Governor Rick Scott has awarded the Medal of Heroism to the school resource officer credited with taking quick action to help prevent another mass school shooting last week.
Scott says he applauds the actions Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Jimmy Long took Friday at Forest High School in Ocala that led to the arrest of a 19-year-old gunman.
“On the morning of April 20, 2018, Deputy Long heard the loud bang of gunfire from inside the school—as I said, my heart would be pounding,” said Scott. “Without hesitating, he was trained and he knew exactly what to do. He immediately responded to the source of the sound. Within three minutes, he found and apprehended the suspect, saving countless students from potential harm. He put his own life at risk to keep his student safe. It’s because of his bravery that this tragedy never had the chance to unfold.”
One student was shot in the ankle, but officials say it could have been much worse. Meanwhile, the Marion County school district as well as law enforcement agencies have agreed to put more than 30 resource officers in all schools for the remainder of the school year.
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