TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - The morning after the Florida Senate voted to support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ removal of Scott Israel as Broward Sheriff, he spoke in Tallahassee.
DeSantis was holding a news conference for a separate topic on Thursday, when a reporter asked for his opinion on the Senate’s decision.
“The Senate, I think, handled it well. I think the Parkland families really have been through a lot and I think it was a relief,” said DeSantis. “I think they were very satisfied with the vote. Obviously, I felt that it needed to be done and the majority of the Senate felt that it needed to be done.”
He mentioned now that the decision has been made they can continue to move on and continue to do “the people’s business.”
After the decision was made, Israel said he apologized if he caused any of the Parkland families additional pain. He also mentioned the result ignores the will of the Broward County voters.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School families, including some of the parents and siblings of those who were killed in the 2018 shooting, sat in the Senate gallery on Wednesday for hours to watch the session and hear the verdict for themselves.
Two senators who represent Parkland and the surrounding area, Lauren Book and Kevin Rader, voted to reinstate the sheriff but were outvoted 25-15.
“I’m just so excited right now,” said Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter was killed at MSD. “The Senate did the right thing to hold Mr. Israel accountable.”
Minutes after the decision was made, Israel spoke to 7News over the phone.
“My first thoughts, as always, are with the families and the friends who lost loved ones that horrific day,” said Israel. “Broke my heart to listen to them speak in front of the Senate on Monday. I heard them, every single one. I’m deeply, deeply sorry for anything I may have said and will be for the rest of my days. Politics won today.”
Hunter Pollack, whose sister was killed in the Parkland shooting, expressed his approval of the Senate decision.
“I do damn sure know that Broward County is a lot safer, in general, without Scott Israel at the helm,” said Pollack.
Israel said he will be for running sheriff of Broward County again in 2020.
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