Parkland Shooting Survivor, Victims’ Families Deeply Divided in Court

Tensions have erupted between Parkland shooting survivor Anthony Borges and families of the other victims.

At a Glance

A rift has emerged between Anthony Borges, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school massacre, and some families of the 17 murdered victims over lawsuit settlements with the shooter, Nikolas Cruz.
Borges reached a settlement with Cruz, granting him rights to Cruz’s name, image, and a $400,000 annuity.
Families of slain students countered with their own $190 million settlement with Cruz.
The conflict continued during various negotiations, involving substantial financial and emotional stakes.

Conflict Over Settlements

Anthony Borges, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school massacre, and some families of the 17 murdered victims over lawsuit settlements with the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, are currently deeply divided. Borges and his parents reached a June agreement with Cruz, granting Borges rights to Cruz’s name and image, approval over interviews, and a $400,000 annuity. Borges’ settlement contrasts with the families of slain students, who countered with $190 million.

The problems began during negotiations over a $25 million settlement with Broward County schools in 2021, where families of the deceased insisted Borges receive $1 less. Borges’ attorney, Alex Arreaza, argued Borges deserved $5 million due to lifelong medical expenses, leading to their exclusion from the group. This conflict continued during negotiations over a $127 million settlement with the FBI, with the Borgeses eventually reaching separate settlements.

A nasty rift between Parkland massacre survivor Anthony Borges and some families of the dead erupted in court Thursday. (More than six years later, this tragedy sadly still generates news and likely will for at least another year or two) https://t.co/Yz5wiswTEy

— Terry Spencer (@terryspen) September 5, 2024

Contentious Legal Battle

Borges, now 21, was severely injured during the shooting, being shot five times and nearly dying. “The Borgeses are tired of being treated like second-class citizens,” said Arreaza. According to Arreaza, they had “every right to ask for what they asked for.” However, David Brill, attorney for the other families, says Arreaza has insulted the families. Brill claimed the lawyer has had a dismissive attitude about the families’ dead loved ones while accusing the families of being dismissive of Borges’ injuries.

“This bad blood, on our side we have repeatedly done what is right for the Borgeses, notwithstanding that history, at every turn, even on this one. And this is the thanks we get,” remarked Brill.

The court session was contentious, with Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips intervening multiple times and comparing the animosity to a contested divorce. The immediate legal fight involves whether Borges can acquire rights to Cruz’s name and likeness and whether there was a verbal contract to split the annuity money and donate it to charity. Phillips will rule later on the rights and urged the parties to negotiate a settlement.

A Tragedy Exploited for Money?

Brill and the families argue that any proceeds from Cruz’s intellectual property rights should benefit the victims or the state, due to a law preventing felons from profiting from their crimes. Brill claims that the Borgeses and their attorney are taking for themselves the right to decide what to do with the tragedy’s narrative and proceeds. Tom Hoyer, who lost his son in the shooting, expressed regret and frustration over the dispute.

“The fact that we’re here today after four people were killed in the shooting yesterday, and my heart goes out to those families because I know where they’ve been. But the fact that we’re here talking about exploiting this tragedy for money is just sickening to me,” said Hoyer.

Phillips expressed sadness that the hearing occurred a day after another school shooting in Georgia and urged the parties to focus on the tragedy they all experienced. “Everybody should look deep into their thoughts,” she said.