Families of Parkland shooting victims shook their heads and dabbed their eyes as a jury spared the gunman's life
- A Florida jury decided to spare the life of the 2018 Parkland school shooter.
- The recommendation that he spend life in prison came for all 17 counts of first-degree murder.
A Florida jury recommended on Thursday that the 2018 Parkland school shooter spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of receiving the death penalty.
The jury recommended life in prison for each of the 17 counts of first-degree murder after a day of deliberations that capped off the monthslong trial.
As Judge Elizabeth Schere read the jury's recommendations for each count, families of the victims sitting in the courtroom could be seen showing signs of disbelief and frustration. With each count, families appeared to grow more displeased with the verdicts.
At times, family members could be seen dabbing their eyes with tissues and shaking their heads in disagreement as the verdicts were read. Many were covering their eyes or holding their heads in their hands. Some leaned in to talk with others, showing visible signs of anger.
The gunman pleaded guilty last year to massacring 17 people at Parkland, Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.
A sentencing date has been set for November 1.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.