In a unique civil settlement, Florida mass shooter Nikolas Cruz has agreed to donate his brain to science, according to court papers and experts. Cruz, who used an AR-15 assault rifle to carry out one of the deadliest mass shootings in the nation’s history, has reached this agreement with one of his victims, Anthony Borges.
Borges, who was shot five times during the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, 2018, proposed the unusual stipulation. His attorney, Alex Arreaza, explained that the intention behind this request is to allow scientists to study Cruz’s brain and potentially identify any imbalances that may have contributed to his violent actions. The hope is that such knowledge could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Legal experts have described this settlement as novel and unique, emphasizing the desire of those affected by mass shootings to take any possible measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again. The agreement also grants Borges the right to use Cruz’s name in movies, books, and other media, while ensuring that the perpetrator cannot profit from his crime. Cruz must obtain permission from Borges before giving any interviews.
The settlement, which was reached during a Zoom meeting between Borges’ father, Cruz, and Arreaza, also assigns Borges $430,000 from a life insurance policy that Cruz is expected to receive from a relative. Borges had previously received $1.25 million from a settlement with the Broward County Public School District, which paid a total of $26 million to victims of the shooting. Additionally, Borges and other victims have pending lawsuits against School Resource Officer Scot Peterson and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, as well as an undisclosed settlement from the FBI for their failure to prevent Cruz’s rampage.
Borges, who is currently suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), did not participate in the discussions due to his discomfort. Arreaza described Cruz’s demeanor during the meeting as cold and strange, noting that he apologized to Borges as if they had been involved in a car accident together.
Borges, who was only 15 at the time of the shooting, bravely barricaded a door with his body to protect himself and his fellow students. He sustained severe injuries to his legs and torso, undergoing numerous surgeries as a result.
The traumatic event continues to haunt Borges, making him relieved that the site of the massacre is being demolished. Arreaza explained that every time Borges drove by the location, it triggered painful memories.
2 Responses
I find the idea of Nikolas Cruz donating his brain to science quite intriguing. Could you please provide more information on how this decision came about and what the potential benefits or implications of studying his brain could be?
There are no errors or inaccuracies in the post.