This Parkland Hero's Story Is One We Need to Hear

This is uncommon bravery for a boy of only 15-years old, and it is one of the stories to come out of the horrific events of February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Florida that deserve to be told.

His name is Anthony Borges. On the day that Nikolas Cruz began his rampage through Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Borges amazingly used his body to block the doorway of his classroom, in order to keep Cruz from entering.

As a result of that act of selflessness, Borges was hit by 5 shots from Cruz’s AR-15. He could have died. His situation was dire.

He was hit 3 times in his legs, one bullet came close to his liver, and another resulted in a third of his lung being removed. He’s now released from the hospital and he’s getting his chance to speak.

“I (thought) I was going to die,” Borges said Wednesday, appearing on NBC’s “Today” show.

He doesn’t believe he is a hero and feels lucky to be living, Borges told the “Today” show’s Kerry Sanders.

NBC reports he had nine surgeries. And since the shooting, Borges has received an influx of letters thanking him for his bravery. Some of the letters, which have come from strangers, were sent from as far as his family’s home country, Venezuela.

That’s a lot for a kid to have to endure. He deserves all the kudos he’s now receiving. We can’t know how many lives may have been saved by his brave efforts that day.

Borges’ family is suing Broward County, Broward County Public Schools, and the cowardly Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

Said the family’s attorney, Alex Arreaza:

“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,” Arreaza wrote in a notice of intent to sue, according to CBS Miami.

I don’t know that the school system is on the hook for this, but certainly a case can be made against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

If only there were one Anthony Borges working with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office…