Former Parkland Deputy Scot Peterson will face victims’ parents in court

Former Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, the officer who neglected to confront the Parkland school shooter last year, will come face to face with victims’ parents in court.

An appeals court Wednesday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Andrew Pollack and Shara Kaplan, parents of victim Meadow Pollack.

The suit states Peterson’s actions — or lack thereof — during the February 2018 mass shooting ultimately led to Meadow’s death. Peterson appealed based on a Florida statute that protects government employees from personal liability for actions taken within their jobs, according to CBS Local Miami.

However, the law Peterson appealed on exempts situations in which government employees “acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property.”

Peterson remained outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while the students and faculty members inside were confronted with a gunman.

A three-judge panel upheld the circuit court ruling refusing to dismiss the lawsuit against Peterson.

The judges concluded that the allegations made against Peterson were sufficient for a reasonable trial based on the Florida statute.

Meadow Pollack was one of 17 victims in the mass shooting.

Peterson retired from the force shortly after receiving criticism regarding the shooting.