News

School Mass Shooter Who Killed 17 Students Agrees to Donate Brain to Science

By Corazon Victorino | Update Date: Jul 09, 2024 10:17 PM EDT
human brain analysis

human brain scan | (Photo : Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels)

In an unprecedented legal settlement, Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator behind the devastating Parkland school shooting that left 17 dead, has agreed to donate his brain to scientific research.

This agreement, part of a civil settlement reached with survivor Anthony Borges, marks a unique attempt to understand the psychological factors that may have contributed to Cruz's actions on Feb. 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, Fox News reported.

Anthony Borges, who heroically shielded classmates during the massacre and sustained multiple gunshot wounds, proposed the groundbreaking stipulation.

His lawyer, Alex Arreaza, explained the rationale behind the decision, stating, "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, such as Berkeley-based attorney Scott Herndon, pointed out the novelty of the settlement.

"I've never heard of anything like this before. It's pretty unique. It underscores the feeling of those left behind that whatever can be done to avoid these massacres in the future should be done."

In addition to the brain donation, the settlement grants Borges the rights to Cruz's name for potential use in media portrayals, ensuring that Cruz cannot profit from his crimes. This provision aims to protect the interests of victims and their families, preventing further distress similar to past controversial media engagements.

The agreement was finalized in a virtual meeting attended by Borges' father and Cruz, where, according to Arreaza, Cruz's demeanor was described as detached and unsettling.

"You could see what a psychopath he is," Arreaza recalled. "He looked at Rory when we were all done and asked if he could apologize, and Nikolas apologized to him like they had been in a car accident together. It was just very cold and weird."

The legal resolution also includes a financial component, with Cruz obligated to assign $430,000 from a relative's life insurance policy to Borges, in addition to previous settlements from the Broward County Public School District and the FBI.

Borges, who continues to struggle with PTSD from the ordeal, has pending legal actions against entities perceived responsible for lapses in preventing the tragedy.

© 2024 Counsel & Heal All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics