Houston, Texas – Families of victims affected by a tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, have taken legal action against a gun manufacturer, a social media platform, and a video game company for their alleged role in the deadly incident. On May 24, 2022, a devastating mass shooting took place at Robb Elementary School, resulting in the loss of 19 children and two teachers at the hands of a teenage perpetrator armed with an AR-15 style rifle.
The families have filed a lawsuit against Daniel Defense, the gun manufacturer, Meta-owned Instagram, and Microsoft-owned Activision, the creators of the “Call of Duty” video game that features the weapon used in the shooting. They accuse the companies of wrongful death and gross negligence, claiming that their marketing efforts targeted vulnerable and impressionable individuals, ultimately contributing to the tragedy.
According to the families’ lawyer, the shooter acquired the weapon shortly after reaching the legal age to purchase firearms in Texas, being influenced by the marketing tactics employed by the companies involved. The attorney argued that the online exposure to the weapon, coupled with the portrayal of it as a solution to problems and the training on how to use it, played a significant role in the tragic events that unfolded at the elementary school.
While the video game company Activision expressed condolences and emphasized that millions of people engage in gaming without resorting to violence, Meta-owned Instagram and Daniel Defense have not yet issued any statements regarding the lawsuit. This legal action comes in the wake of a $2 million settlement reached by the families with the city of Uvalde due to lapses in police response to the shooting.
The incident sheds light on the prevalence of school shootings in the United States, where lax regulations on firearm purchases and the widespread ownership of guns continue to pose significant challenges in addressing gun violence. The lawsuit serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding gun control, social media influence, and the role of entertainment media in shaping perceptions and behaviors among vulnerable individuals.