We all know the story about the Parkland School Shooting. However, when something like this happens, companies like Netflix like to give people the whole story by making a documentary about it. Anthony Borges, one of the survivors of the school shooting, made sure that the shooter will never be able to participate in any of these unless Borges gives consent to it. Keep on reading and discover everything about Anthony Borges and the aftermath of his life after the shooting!
Anthony Borges Was A Hero Who Saved Several Classmates, But At What Cost?
At just 15 years old, Anthony Borges took a life-threatening stand to protect his classmates. Anthony Borges was shot five times while trying to barricade a classroom door. He protected the other people in his class when the shooting started. Although his actions helped save many lives, Borges endured serious physical injuries and a difficult emotional recovery journey. This journey was even more complicated because of the constant media attention surrounding both the event, the shooter and his high school Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.
Financial Settlement Offers Partial Justice
In 2022, victims and families affected by the Parkland tragedy received a $127.5 million settlement from the FBI. This financial compensation aimed to address the agency’s failure to prevent the shooting despite having prior warnings. Though the settlement was significant, many victims and their families felt it couldn’t fully repair their losses or alleviate their trauma. Outside of this settlement, Anthony Borges got an additional settlement from the FBI for different reasons.
However, Borges also turned the pain from this experience into advocacy. He sued the school district, and the sheriff’s office for failing to protect him and the other students. Anthony is also actively pushing for stronger gun control and safety measures used in schools!
A Unique Legal Victory for Anthony Borges: Securing Rights to the Shooter’s Name
Borges’s legal team pursued a separate, highly unusual form of justice. Through a groundbreaking civil settlement, Borges secured the legal rights to the Parkland shooter’s name, granting him exclusive control over any media use of it. Without Borges’s permission, the shooter is prohibited from participating in documentaries, interviews, or other media that could profit from his notoriety. This exceptional move allows Borges to prevent the shooter from exploiting his infamy for attention or gain.
This settlement has drawn attention from legal experts, as it raises complex questions about the assignability of “name, image, and likeness” rights. In Florida, these rights are typically non-transferable, but there are exceptions for convicted criminals, especially those guilty of violent crimes. Florida penal law supports restrictions preventing offenders from profiting from their crimes, making Borges’s settlement a unique instance of justice beyond financial reparations.
