Broward County sheriff: ‘Of course I won’t resign’

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said Sunday he will not resign from his position despite criticism over his department’s handling of the Florida school shooting and red flags raised prior to the incident about the suspect.

During a half-hour interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Israel pushed back against criticism that his department did not adequately respond to the shooting or appropriately follow up on prior tips about the alleged shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz.

{mosads}“Of course I won’t resign,” Israel said on “State of the Union.”

Tapper specifically asked the sheriff about a letter written by Florida state Rep. Bill Hager (R) to Gov. Rick Scott (R) arguing Israel should resign following the school shooting that left 17 people dead when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“It was a shameful letter. It was politically motivated,” Israel said. “I never met that man. He doesn’t know anything about me. And the letter was full of misinformation.”

Israel said he penned his own letter to Scott.

“It was a shameful, politically motivated letter that had no facts. And of course I won’t resign,” he said.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office — as well as the FBI — reportedly received tips warning that Cruz could be dangerous prior to the shooting. The office has also been criticized over officers that allegedly failed to enter the building after responding to calls about a shooter.

Israel also said he’s given “amazing leadership” to the department when asked if he takes any responsibility over the multiple red flags that were raised before the shooting.

“I can only take responsibility for what I knew about. I exercised my due diligence, I’ve given amazing leadership to this agency,” he said.

— This report was updated at 11:54 a.m.