WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A mass shooting in a Florida high school killed 17 people on Wednesday, local police said.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told the press that 12 were killed in the school building, two were killed outside the building, one on a road nearby and two died in hospital from wounds.

The shooting took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, just north of Miami. The school said the incident took place as the school was dismissing students.

The shooter was identified as Nikolaus Cruz, a 19-year-old expelled student at the school. He was captured shortly after the shooting. An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was found at the site.

"My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The incident took place as Parkland has recently been listed as one of the 10 safest cities in Florida.