The adopted bother of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz was arrested Monday and charged with trespassing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where Nikolas shot and killed 17 students and staff.
Zachary Cruz, 19, appeared before a judge on Tuesday wearing handcuffs and a yellow jail issued jumpsuit.
He was recorded on surveillance cameras riding his skateboard at the school, even though he was warned to stay away, officials said.
After his arrest, Zachary told police he went to the school to “reflect on the school shooting and soak it all in”.
Nikolas, 18, was arrested on Feb. 14 after he went on a shooting rampage at the school. He is charged with 17 counts of murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.
Zachary and Nikolas were adopted as infants by Lynda and Robert Cruz who are both deceased.
In an earlier report, officials said Zachary and his friends often teased Nikolas because he had mental problems.
Zachary Cruz is being held on $500,000 bail in the same jail as his adopted brother.
Trespassing is a misdemeanor that usually carries a $25 bail, but prosecutors asked for a $750,000 bail and other conditions, most of which a judge agreed to.
Joseph Kimok, who is representing Zachary Cruz, said the bail was unusually high and “he is being held for who he is related to, not for anything he did.”
The judge ordered Zachary to wear an ankle GPS monitor and to stay away from all schools if he is released on bond.
