Stoneman Douglas survivor, victim's family file lawsuits against shooter, late mother's estate

PARKLAND, Fla. – More than two months following the tragedy at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School, legal action is being taken by the victims and their families.

Anthony Borges, a student shot five times on Feb. 14, and his family filed a complaint and demand for a jury trial Tuesday morning.

In the 16-page document obtained by Local 10, the defendants include the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, the estate of Cruz's late mother Lynda, and James and Kimberly Sneak, the couple who allowed Cruz to stay in their home from November until the day of the shooting.

Borges' attorney, Alex Arreaza, said the Broward Sheriff's Office and Broward County Schools should have done more to protect his client and his classmates.

"You knew he was a problem years ago and you did nothing.  He should’ve never been in school with us," said Borges.

The Borges family is also taking legal action for negligence against three healthcare facilities that cared for Cruz at certain points in his life.

The family of Helena Ramsay, who died protecting her best friend, is also taking legal action; filing a notice of probate claim.

“I have put the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Broward School Board and the Department of Children and Families on notice,” said Ramsay's family attorney, Craig Goldenfarb.

The Borges and the Ramsay family also plan to file suit against the Broward Sheriff's Office and the school district. They have yet to do that because state agencies are entitled six months’ notice before a lawsuit is filed.

Meanwhile, dozens of parents, teachers, survivors and members of the community gathered at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts Tuesday evening for a town hall meeting to gather input on how to distribute funds collected through the Stoneman Douglas victims' fund.

"They want to feel loved, and that's all that really matters right now, because there is nothing you can do to take back the moment," Stoneman Douglas survivor Destiny Cazeau said.  

More than $7.5 million has already been raised and will go to families of victims who died, those physically injured and students and teachers who suffered psychological trauma. But when the question was asked if the committee was considering accepting funds from gunman Nikolas Cruz, it did not go over well with those in attendance.

"We don't want that money," one man said. "We don't need that money. Please don't take any money from that guy."

 


About the Author:

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.