AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — Zachary Cruz, the 24-year-old brother of the Parkland college shooter, was arrested Feb. 4 for trespassing at a number of college properties, together with Wilson Center Faculty, Wilson Excessive Faculty and the Valley Profession and Technical Heart in Virginia.
Authorities reported that Cruz was noticed on the premises of the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Heart Complicated after hours round 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 25.
In response to a launch from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Workplace, this incident prompted a collaborative investigation involving the Woodrow Wilson Police Division, the Virginia State Police and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Surveillance footage recovered from Jan. 25 confirmed him making an attempt to open exterior doorways and peering into the colleges.
Cruz was charged with three misdemeanor counts of trespassing. Nevertheless, Cruz’s lawyer, Amina Matheny-Willard, acknowledged that his Fourth Modification rights have been violated through the arrest.
In a press launch, Matheny-Willard mentioned that Augusta County deputies obtained three arrest warrants by falsely telling the Justice of the Peace that there have been “no trespassing” indicators. Matheny-Willard mentioned this was not, actually, true, and that Cruz was on public property.
Matheny-Willard mentioned she and Cruz plan to file a civil rights lawsuit towards the Augusta County Sheriff’s Workplace, Augusta County, Virginia State Police and the Woodrow Wilson Police Division.
Cruz is a free man, based on Sheriff Donald L. Smith’s current Fb submit he shared at about 10 p.m. on Thursday.
In that Fb submit, Smith additionally addressed security issues within the space. The submit says:
“The Augusta County Sheriff’s Workplace is conscious of rising issues from dad and mom and group members relating to Zachary P. Cruz’s current launch and the live-streamed video recorded at numerous colleges inside the Wilson Faculty complicated earlier at this time.
“I wish to guarantee the general public that this video, livestreamed by Cruz’s lawyer and later posted on social media, didn’t contain Cruz bodily being current at any county college property. In reality, on the time the video was taken and initially shared, Zachary Cruz remained incarcerated at Center River Regional Jail. Cruz was launched at this time, February 6, 2025, at 3:43 p.m.
“I perceive how troubling this case has been for you, your households, and our group. Our high priorities are the protection and safety of all college students, employees, and group members. I wish to guarantee you this matter is being taken very severely.
“The Augusta County Sheriff’s Workplace, in coordination with the Virginia State Police, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Heart, and the administration in any respect colleges inside the Wilson complicated, is actively working to watch and maintain our native colleges protected and secured.
“The Augusta County Public Faculties Superintendent, Eric Bond, and his employees are in fixed contact with my workplace relating to the protection of all County Faculties. Our companies have carried out heightened safety measures, together with elevated regulation enforcement presence on and round college grounds.
“Moreover, we carefully monitor potential threats and talk with college officers to make sure all mandatory precautions are in place.
“Please notice: the ACSO has quite a few Faculty Useful resource Officers assigned to the Wilson complicated, the Virginia State Police space workplace, and the Woodrow Wilson Rehab Heart Police Division, all of that are on this fast space. It’s best to anticipate extra regulation enforcement presence within the space.
“We encourage dad and mom, college students, and employees to stay alert and report suspicious exercise. The collective effort of regulation enforcement, college officers, and the group is crucial to sustaining a protected atmosphere for everybody.
“Thanks to your vigilance and for voicing your issues. Your voice is loud and clear. Ought to you could have any additional questions or data to share, please don’t hesitate to contact our workplace.”
In response to the Augusta County Common District Court docket, Cruz’s subsequent listening to is Might 1.
