The public defender assigned to represent Nikolas Cruz, the suspected Florida school shooter, broke down into tears while discussing his client’s crime.

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Cruz killed 17 people and injured at least a dozen more with an AR-15 on Wednesday at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The victims included students and school employees. (RELATED: Florida School Shooter Had Ties To White Nationalist Militia: Reports)

While discussing the victims of his defendant’s crime on Thursday, Attorney Gordon Weeks was forced to pause his interview after becoming visibly emotional.

“…a loss for this community,” Weeks began, his eyes watering. “A tragic loss of 17 children.”

Weeks paused for several seconds before turning away from the camera so that it would not catch him crying. He repeatedly put his head down and covered his face with his hands.

Weeks even had to walk away from the camera for a bit, and it took him at least 30 seconds to compose himself before he could continue his interview.

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