By in Society & Social Issues —

The Ultimate Poetic Justice: Parkland Hero Anthony Borges Now Legally Controls the Shooter's Story

Parkland hero Anthony Borges, who was shot five times while shielding classmates, has secured the legal rights to the shooter's name. This groundbreaking settlement prevents the perpetrator from profiting from his notoriety through book or movie deals without Borges's explicit permission.

The Ultimate Poetic Justice: Parkland Hero Anthony Borges Now Legally Controls the Shooter's Story

In the aftermath of unspeakable tragedy, the pursuit of justice often takes many forms. For the victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, healing is a lifelong process. But for one of its most celebrated heroes, Anthony Borges, justice recently took a novel and powerful form. Borges, who was shot five times while using his body to shield 20 classmates, has achieved a landmark legal victory: he now controls the legal rights to the name of his attacker, Nikolas Cruz.

Anthony Borges’s heroism on February 14, 2018, is a story of incredible self-sacrifice. Dubbed 'Iron Man' by his friends and doctors, he survived his grievous injuries after a lengthy and painful recovery. While the shooter was eventually sentenced to life in prison without parole, a different kind of justice was sought in civil court. The concern, common in high-profile cases, was that the perpetrator could one day profit from his infamy through book deals, paid interviews, or movie rights, further traumatizing his victims and their families.

As part of a civil settlement finalized in 2024, Borges and his legal team, led by attorney Alex Arreaza, executed an unprecedented strategy. They secured the rights to the shooter's name, effectively silencing any attempt he might make to commercialize his story. This settlement means that Nikolas Cruz cannot sign any deals with authors, journalists, or film producers without the explicit permission of the young man whose life he nearly ended. It’s a legal maneuver designed to prevent the monetization of murder.

Arreaza explained the motivation behind this unique approach, aiming to empower the victim and control the narrative.

“Victims are the ones that should have the sole control over the stories of how they were victimized.”

Poetic Justice and Public Reaction

The news was met with widespread public approval, with many commentators describing it as a form of poetic justice. The power has been transferred from the perpetrator to the victim. It ensures the story is not sensationalized for profit and that the focus remains on the lives lost and those forever changed. Instead of giving the shooter a platform, this settlement takes it away, handing the microphone to a true hero. It is widely presumed that Borges will never grant such permission, ensuring the shooter's story, in his own words, is never commercially told.

This case sets a potential precedent for future tragedies, offering a new tool for victims to prevent criminals from gaining fame and fortune from their heinous acts. Anthony Borges's actions have once again protected others—first with his body, and now with the law.

Sources