Florida school shooting survivor rejects ‘hero’ label
MIAMI: A survivor of the Florida school shooting nicknamed “Iron Man” for his efforts to save classmates said he did not want to be labelled a “hero,” as his family announced a lawsuit against authorities.
Anthony Borges, 15, was shot in both legs and the back by Nikolas Cruz, who opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14.
Despite his injuries, the teenager managed to shut a door, preventing the shooter from entering the room where around 20 students were hiding. In doing so, he was shot twice more.
“I don’t know why I survived, but I will tell you that my family and I will dedicate the rest of our lives to seeing that something like this never happens again,” Anthony said in a statement via his lawyer, Alex Arreaza.
Anthony, joined by Arreaza, his father Royer Borges, his grandfather Alfredo and friend Carlos Rodriguez on Friday took part in a press conference in Plantation, north of Miami.
He entered in a wheelchair, and still recovering after nine surgeries and seven weeks in hospital, did not want to speak.
“I know I’m being called ‘Iron Man.’ I am not,” he said in the statement. “I am a 15-year-old who was shot five times. “I’m just a kid who wants to go back to school without being afraid.”
Borges also accused Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel and schools superintendent Robert Runcie of failing him, as they were unable to prevent Cruz from buying firearms and entering the school despite his erratic behaviour.
I know I’m being called ‘Iron Man.’ I am not. I am a 15-year-old who was shot five times ANTHONY BORGES