Tampa GOP Aide Describes Outspoken Parkland Students As Actors

TALLAHASSEE, FL - An aide to state Rep. Shawn Harrison, a Tampa Republican, has been fired for claiming that some of the children from a Parkland high school where 17 people died in a mass school shooting were actors supporting tougher gun control measures.

Benjamin Kelly, the Harrison aide, made the assertion Tuesday about a photo attached to a Tampa Bay Times story on how Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students were drawing attacks for their outspokenness about the need for new gun control measures. The picture showed David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez speaking on CNN. Kelly wrote: "Both kids in the picture are not students here but actors that travel to various crisis when they happen."

The Times reported that Kelly sent another email that included a link to a conspiracy video on YouTube. The video shows Hogg in a news clip from California concerning a dispute over a boogie board. Conspiracy theorists have described Hogg as a "crisis actor," questioning what Hogg was doing in another state.

Kelly wrote to the Times: "There is a clip on YouTube that shows Mr. Hogg out in California. (I guess he transferred?)"

Harrison later released a statement to the Times: "I was just made aware that my aide made an insensitive and inappropriate allegation about Parkland students today. I have spoken to him and placed him on leave until we determine an appropriate course of action. I do not share his opinion and he did so without my knowledge."

Kelly was fired by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who oversees House employees.

Kelly tweeted that he made a mistake "whereas I tried to inform a reporter of information relating to his story regarding a school shooting. This was not my responsibility. I meant no disrespect to the students or parents of Parkland."

Corcoran described Kelly's email as appalling: "On behalf of the entire Florida House, I sincerely apologize to the students targeted and again commend them for their courage through this unspeakable tragedy."

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel weighed in on the controversy.

“To anybody who would say that these are actors and these weren’t real students, it defies logic and comprehension,” Israel said. “I wouldn’t even know what to say to be honest with you.”

Photo: Members of the House of Representatives rise for prayer at the opening of a special session Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)