Parkland survivor Anthony Borges is home from the hospital and sharing chilling memories of the shooting
It has been nearly two months since a gunman killed 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and the community is slowly healing. Shooting survivor Anthony Borges, who has been lauded for protecting his classmates during the shooting, has been among those in recovery. This morning, April 4th, Borges spoke up, revealing that he thought he “was going to die” when he shielded his classmates.
Borges was shot five times in the legs and back as he blocked the door to a classroom, protecting nearly 20 other students inside. His family set up a GoFundMe page to help with the high cost of his medical bills. Now, after nine surgeries, including the removal of one-third of his lung, he has finally been discharged from the hospital. And in an interview with NBC’s Today, Borges said he was glad to be alive.
"I think I was going to die," he told host Terry Sanders.
The 15-year-old has been celebrated by many as a hero. Sanders reported that Borges’s friends have nicknamed him “the real Ironman” for his bravery. But when Sanders asked Borges if he thought he had acted heroically, Borges simply shook his head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuFHtM9_n9I?feature=oembed
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Borges and his family immigrated to the United States from Venezuela three years ago. And people from the teen’s home country have sent an outpouring of support, writing letters calling him “ganador,” “luchador,” and “campeon” — “winner,” “fighter,” and “champion.”
He's the Parkland shooting survivor you have not seen or heard from until now. Anthony Borges – 9 surgeries later – is finally home from the hospital. He's the hero who held the door taking 5 bullets but saving all inside his classroom. @TODAYshow exclusive 830am. pic.twitter.com/eDnpvEreP2
— Kerry Sanders (@KerryNBC) April 4, 2018
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Even though he is home, Borges is still on the mend. Doctors told his family that he wouldn’t be able to use stairs for a while, so his parents moved to a first-floor apartment. But eventually, doctors think the teen will be able to play soccer again.
In March, the Borges family’s attorney, Alex Arreaza, announced that the family would sue Broward County, Broward County Public Schools, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. In the notice, Arreaza stated that the failure of these organizations to protect students was “unreasonable, callous, and negligent.”
Borges exhibited incredible bravery by protecting his fellow classmates. We’re glad that he has returned home, and we hope he makes a full recovery soon.
