Parkland shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz withdraws not guilty plea, stands mute on 34 counts

People visit one of seventeen crosses following a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 15. Gov. Rick Scott has called for more law enforcement officers in schools, but that will take time, a Palm Beach County School Police official said Tuesday. (Greg Lovett / The Palm Beach Post)

People visit one of seventeen crosses following a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 15. Gov. Rick Scott has called for more law enforcement officers in schools, but that will take time, a Palm Beach County School Police official said Tuesday. (Greg Lovett / The Palm Beach Post)

THURSDAY, 4:15PM ET UPDATE:  Nikolas Cruz withdrew his not guilty plea Thursday and instead chose to "stand mute," according to a court motion.

The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.

PREVIOUS REPORT:

grand jury in Broward County has formally indicted Nikolas Cruz in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, the county's state attorney announced Wednesday.

The panel charged the 19-year-old with 17 counts of premeditated first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder in the mass shooting at the Parkland high school that left 14 students and three adults dead.