Published: Saturday, May 25, 2024
AUSTIN (Texas) — Families from Uvalde, Texas, took legal action on Friday, the second anniversary of Robb Elementary School’s attack. They sued Meta Platforms, the owner of Instagram, and Call of Duty, the creator of the videogame, over allegations that the companies were responsible for the products used by the teen gunman.
Daniel Defense, the manufacturer of the AR-style rifles used in the shooting on May 24, 2022 — which has already been sued — also filed a second lawsuit.
The lawsuits were filed as a small Texas town gathered together to commemorate the anniversary of what was one of the most deadly school shootings to occur in U.S. History. The gunman shot and killed 19 students as well as two teachers. After waiting for more than an hour, officers finally shot the gunman after confronting him.
Josh Koskoff is an attorney representing the families. He said that there was a direct link between the conduct and the Uvalde Shooting. This three-headed beast knowingly exposed the man to the gun, trained him to view it as a way to solve his problem and taught him how to use it.
On Wednesday, some of the same families filed a lawsuit for $500 million against Texas state officers and officials who were involved in the botched response to law enforcement that day. Over 370 officers from the federal, state, and local government responded, but they waited for more than an hour before confronting the shooter in the classroom, as the students and teachers lay dead, dying, or injured.
The lawsuits filed on Friday are not the only ones to accuse tech companies of playing a role in radicalizing and influencing mass shooters. Families of victims from a Buffalo, New York supermarket attack in May 2022 sued Meta and Instagram over their content.
The same 19 families that sued Daniel Defense in Georgia on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the gun manufacturer in Texas. The lawsuits against Meta and Activision Blizzard, the makers of Call of Duty, were filed in California by additional families of victims of the attack.
Activision described the Uvalde shooting as “horrendous, heartbreaking and in every way.” We express our deepest sympathy to the families and community members who continue to be affected by this senseless act. “Millions of people enjoy video games around the globe without resorting to violent acts.”
Video game trade group has also rejected the idea that games are responsible for violence. They claim research has not found a link.
We are outraged and saddened by these senseless acts. We also discourage false accusations that link these tragedies with video games, as they distract from the efforts to focus on root causes and prevent future tragedies,” said the Entertainment Software Association.
It was not immediately apparent what damages were sought.
The lawsuits claim that the Uvalde shooter played Call of Duty versions since he turned 15, one of which allowed him to practice effectively with the version of rifle he used in the school. Instagram was also accused by the families of not doing enough to enforce its rules, which prohibit marketing firearms to children and harmful content.
According to the lawsuit, the Uvalde shooter had opened an account online with Daniel Defense even before he turned 18 and bought the rifle as quickly as he could.
“Simultaneously on Instagram, the shooter’s interests were being courted by explicit, aggressive marketing.” Daniel Defense, in addition to posting hundreds of pictures lauding the excitement of combat and glorifying it, used Instagram to praise the illegal, murderous uses of their weapons, according to a statement from the attorneys for the families.
Daniel Defense and Meta did not respond immediately to email requests for comment.
Marty Daniels, CEO of Daniel Defense in 2022 at a congressional hearing, called the Uvalde and other shootings “pure evil” as well as “deeply troubling.”
In December 2022, a separate lawsuit was filed by different plaintiffs against the local and state police and city as well as other law enforcement and school agencies. The lawsuit seeks $27 billion in damages and class action status for survivors. Daniel Defense has been sued at least twice before.
Members of the community in Uvalde organized a vigil for those who were killed. A bell-ringing event and butterfly release were also held at a local parish.
In a letter addressed to the community, President Joe Biden wrote: “As this solemn occasion is marked, let us pray for all those we have lost, their families, and those who are wounded.” ___
The story has been updated and now states that the gunman killed two teachers and 19 students.