Cubs' Rizzo returns to Florida following shooting at his former high school
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has left spring training in Arizona and returned to his Florida home to be with his family and community following Wednesday's deadly shooting at his former high school, Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Rizzo and his family apparently knew some of the 17 victims including Aaron Feis, the football coach who lost his life while shielding students from gunfire.
Rizzo paid tribute to Feis on Thursday:
โ Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 15, 2018
Rizzo, a native of Fort Lauderdale, was drafted out of the school by the Boston Red Sox in 2007. This past November, the 28-year-old made a $150,000 donation to his alma mater to improve the school's baseball facilities; Stoneman Douglas' diamond was immediately renamed Anthony Rizzo Field in his honor.
On Wednesday, hours after the shooting occurred, Rizzo sent a message of support to his school on Twitter, while also calling for change to weapon laws in the United States.
Parkland and Coral Springs please stay strong! This is out of control and and our country is in desperate need for change. I hope In this darkest of times back home this brings everyone together and we can find love. Youโre all in my prayers ๐๐ป๐๐ป
โ Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 14, 2018
The Cubs organization also offered their condolences on Wednesday.
Our heart goes out to the students and families impacted by todayโs tragedy at @ARizzo44's high school in Parkland, FL.
โ Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 15, 2018
Seventeen people were killed and at least 14 more wounded in the shooting. The suspected gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was arrested and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder, NBC News reported Thursday morning.