Wrestler Apollo Crews Changes His Name to Distance Himself From Parkland Shooter

Wrestler Apollo Crews is now simply going by "Apollo," in an effort to distance himself from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter. According to Sportskeeda, the WWE star dropped his last name because it sounds too similar to that of Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 people last week in one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.

Based on an email sent by WWE officials, the decision was made at the executive level. WWE CEO Vince McMahon reportedly never wants to hear Cruz's surname again. And while the two spellings are different, they're similar enough to erase Apollo's last name from his biography on the company's website.

The 19-year-old Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder following the shooting, which is now the 18th school shooting in the US this year. The FBI received a tip through their general call line regarding concerns about Cruz's violent behavior back in September, and admitted they did not act on it. The tip referenced "Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting."

The aftermath of the unfortunate tragedy has led to both heartwarming acts of kindness major social and political activism. People have raised more than $187,000 for 15-year-old Anthony Borges, who survived being shot five times while trying to close and lock the door of a classroom. The young hero saved about 20 students' lives that day and is currently recovering in the hospital. Other survivors have organized massive anti-gun marches and rallies that are set to play out across the country next month.