Florida mass shooter Nikolas Cruz has agreed to donate his brain to science in a 'unique' civil settlement reached with one of his victims, court papers and experts reveal.
Cruz used an AR-15 assault rifle to massacre 17 students and staffers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in the nation's history.
An attorney for Anthony Borges, 21, who was shot five times in the attack, proposed the unusual stipulation with the aim of understanding what led to the tragedy. The attorney stated, 'I figured if scientists studied his brain they might be able to figure out what created this monster. Maybe there was some kind of imbalance that caused this that we can prevent in the future.'
Legal experts have described the settlement as novel and unique, emphasizing the importance of taking steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The agreement also grants Borges the right to Cruz's name for use in various media, with restrictions in place to prevent Cruz from profiting or giving interviews without permission.
The settlement, which includes a financial component, was reached in a Zoom meeting involving Borges' father, Cruz, and their respective legal representatives. Borges, who is dealing with PTSD, did not participate directly in the discussions.
Borges, who bravely shielded his classmates during the attack, suffered severe injuries and underwent numerous surgeries. The settlement also includes a monetary sum from Cruz's relative's life insurance policy.
Previous settlements from the Broward County Public School District and the FBI, along with pending lawsuits against other entities, have provided additional support to Borges and other victims of the shooting.
The impact of the shooting continues to affect Borges, who expressed relief that the site of the tragedy is being demolished to help him cope with the traumatic memories associated with the event.
