The FBI said in a statement that a person close to the shooter called the agency's tip line on January 5 to warn about "Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting."

The statement came two days after Cruz, 19, opened fire with an AR-15 rifle at students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the city of Parkland in Broward County, just north of Miami on the state's southeastern tip.

Besides the 17 killings, the shooting also injured 14 others.  

"Under established protocols, the information provided by the called should have been assessed as a potential threat of life," the FBI statement said. "The information then should have been forward to the FBI Miami Field Office, where appropriate investigative steps would have been taken."

The FBI said that those protocols were not followed for the January tip, therefore the information was not provided to the Miami office, and no further investigation was conducted at that time.

Wednesday's massacre raised concerns about potential failure in school security and sparks ongoing U.S. debates on gun control.

"We are still investigating the facts," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. "We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy."

Cruz, who was expelled from the school for disciplinary reasons, made a brief court appearance on Thursday and was ordered held without bond. 

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