Parkland shooting victim suing school district, police for school attack

By Jazzi Johnson

·March 6, 2018

People wait for loved ones as they are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the school that reportedly killed and injured multiple people on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Numerous law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Anthony Borges was one of the dozens injured on February 14 during the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 people dead.

Now, he and his family are suing the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the school district, the principal and resource officers of the school. Borges is the first to file a lawsuit, and that number is expected to grow.

The 15-year-old student was struck five times — twice in his right leg, once in his left leg and twice in his torso — in what was described as an attempt to protect 20 of his peers.

More could have been done

According to the Daily Mail, the lawsuit consisted of a two-page notice that was filed Monday by Borges’ attorney. The teen and his family assert that more could have been done to prevent the shooting, which could be directly related to three controversial Broward County police officers who were on duty and on campus but have been criticized for not stepping in.

“The failure of Broward County Public Schools, and of the principal and school resource officer to adequately protect students, and in particular our client, from life-threatening harm were unreasonable, callous and negligent,” wrote attorney Alex Arreaza in their lawsuit notice. “Such action or inaction led to the personal injuries sustained by my client.”

Slow recovery

Borges is still recovering in the hospital and has “a great deal of difficulty performing rudimentary tasks for himself.” He has not yet recovered enough to walk.

Alex Arreaza, Borges’ attorney, says that it’s “going to be a tough recovery … it’s a miracle that we’re even talking about recovery.”

Borges’ medical bills are expected to exceed $1 million. Areeza says that they will sue for other damages at a later date.

“Unfortunately medical bills can bankrupt a family and it has to be addressed,” he explained. “There could have been a lot more done to prevent this tragedy.”

Borges is one of the students who have been praised as a hero for their quick-thinking during the attack. Borges’ used his body as a human shield while he protected up to 20 students running to safety from the gunfire.