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Confessed Parkland killer faces new charges after viciously attacking officer, taking his stun gun
The Parkland, Florida, killer faces new charges after attacking an officer inside a Florida jail. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Confessed Parkland killer faces new charges after viciously attacking officer, taking his stun gun

Nikolas Cruz, the confessed Parkland mass killer, is facing new charges after attacking an officer inside a Florida jail on Tuesday.

What are the details?

According to a police report, Sgt. Raymond Beltran of the Broward County Sheriff's Office requested that Cruz refrain from dragging his sandals while walking through the jail's dayroom.

In response, Cruz reportedly made an obscene gesture at Beltran, and rushed him — punching him and knocking him down.

Cruz jumped on top of Beltran and landed several blows on top of Beltran's head, then freed the officer's stun gun from his belt.

Beltran was able to strike back at Cruz, and hit him with the hand holding the stun gun. After Cruz was struck, he retreated to a nearby chair and sat down. Beltran was able to take him into custody.

During the scuffle, the weapon discharged, but neither Cruz nor Beltran were struck, according to the report.

The incident was caught on a surveillance camera.

The Sun-Sentinel reported that Cruz was charged with battery on an officer, using an electrical or chemical weapon against a law enforcement officer, and aggravated battery.

Preliminary bond was set at $200,000 for the first two charges. A second hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Sgt. Anthony Marciano — director for the Federation of Public and Private Employees — confirmed Beltran was attacked.

"He was in an altercation, but at no point in time was he ever incapacitated," Marciano said. "We're not expecting the sergeant to be disciplined in any way."

Anything else?

In March, Cruz was charged with 17 counts of murder in connection with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, as well as 17 counts of attempted murder.

He will face the death penalty if convicted on the murder charges.

According to Florida state law, if Cruz is convicted and a jury unanimously recommends the death penalty, a judge could order his execution.

Florida state law specifies that a person sentenced to death could elect death by electrocution or lethal injection.

A judge entered a not guilty plea on the subject's behalf during a March arraignment.

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