Watch Now

Election 2020

Actions

Broward County sheriff race hinges on Parkland massacre, old shooting

Gregory Tony, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, battling ousted predecessor Scott Israel in Democratic primary
Gregory Tony and Scott Israel, Democratic candidates for Broward County sheriff
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Wilfredo Lee/Steve Cannon/AP
Gregory Tony and Scott Israel are Democratic candidates for Broward County sheriff. Tony (left) was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the suspension of Israel, who is asking voters to let him have his old job back.
Gregory Tony and Scott Israel, Democratic candidates for Broward County sheriff
Posted at 11:16 AM, Aug 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-15 11:23:00-04

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida county sheriff election is being shadowed by two shootings decades apart.

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony is being challenged in Tuesday's Democratic primary by his predecessor, Scott Israel.

Tony replaced Israel in 2019 after Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Israel over his handling of the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 dead.

Tony's campaign is plagued by his failure to disclose that in 1993 he fatally shot another teenager when he was 14 in Philadelphia.

A judge found Tony acted in self-defense, but Tony never told his previous police employer, DeSantis or investigators vetting him about the shooting. 

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.