In an unprecedented move, Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, has consented to donate his brain to science through a civil settlement with Anthony Borges, one of his victims who suffered severe injuries during the attack. This groundbreaking stipulation was proposed by Borges' lawyer, Alex Arreaza, who believes that studying Cruz's brain could potentially reveal insights into what led to the horrific massacre, allowing for preventive measures in the future to mitigate such tragedies. Notably, the agreement also grants Borges the rights to Cruz's name for potential use in movies, books, and other media, ensuring that Cruz is unable to profit from the notoriety of his crime without Borges' permission.

Moreover, the settlement showcases a rare occurrence within legal proceedings involving mass shooters, as attorney Scott Herndon, specializing in representing victims of such tragedies, expressed astonishment at the uniqueness of this agreement. The decision to have Cruz relinquish the rights to his name, along with the brain donation for scientific research, underscores the determination of those impacted by the shooting to prevent similar atrocities from occurring in the future. The complex negotiations leading to the settlement, conducted via a Zoom meeting involving Borges' father, Cruz, and their respective legal representatives, shed light on the emotional toll and complexities surrounding the aftermath of such traumatic events.