In the wake of another mass shooting in Florida that left at least 17 people dead and fears that the toll could rise, several of North Carolina's elected representatives took to social media to express condolences and shock.

Nikolas Cruz, who authorities say barged into his former high school with a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle and carried out one of the deadliest school shootings in modern U.S. history, was charged Thursday with 17 counts of premeditated murder, one for each of the students and adults who were killed.

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Cruz, 19, was booked into jail in Broward County and authorities released a mug shot of him staring wide-eyed into the camera. He had been expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a small, bucolic city about an hour north of Miami, which on Wednesday became the site of one of the deadliest shootings in modern U.S. history, adding to the growing toll of mass killings on school grounds.

Authorities said the AR-15 rifle that Cruz used in the attack was purchased legally. “No laws were violated in the procurement of this weapon,” said Peter J. Forcelli, special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Miami.

Videos taken from inside the school captured the terror as students crouched for shelter, screaming as the sound of gunfire rang out near them.

With the Parkland shooting, three of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history have come in the last five months.

Reactions from North Carolina's elected officials:

Today, we witnessed another heartbreaking and devastating scene from a school shooting. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We must do more to protect our communities from gun violence.

— Alma S. Adams (@RepAdams)

February 14, 2018

"Washington" is broken? Democrats have put forward dozens of common-sense solutions, but Republicans are too scared or heartless to bring them to the floor for a vote. Instead, all we get are empty "thoughts and prayers" and cynical accusations of "politicizing tragedy." https://t.co/GlY9apz93H

— David E. Price (@RepDavidEPrice)

February 15, 2018

18 school shootings in 2018. And we’re only 46 days in. We need action and we need it now.

— G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield)

February 15, 2018

This is an act of pure evil. I cannot imagine what these parents and teachers are going through right now. Praying for a swift end and safety for these children. https://t.co/pXcBmBb3nU

— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker)

February 14, 2018

This is truly heartbreaking. My wife Renee and I are praying for these students, teachers, and their families. We are grateful for the first responders and law enforcement officials who are continuing to work to protect this community. https://t.co/DryLk4u7N3

— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson)

February 14, 2018