US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited a Florida hospital to offer their respects to the victims of a mass shooting that claimed 17 lives at a nearby high school. <br/><br/>The first couple visited Broward Health North Hospital, where a White House official said they thanked medical staff for their life-saving assistance. <br/><br/>Mr Trump also visited the Broward County Sheriff's Office headquarters, where he met with first responders who played a role in rescues and the arrest of the shooter. <br/><br/>The president's visit to the Parkland area north of Miami came amid growing anger among parents and students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School over America's seeming unwillingness to toughen gun control laws.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the public defender of gunman Nikolas Cruz said he is willing to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. <br/><br/>Cruz is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder for the Wednesday shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Cruz's next court date is set for Monday morning.