Uvalde, Texas – Two years after the tragic school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in May 2022, families of the victims have taken legal action against three companies they believe contributed to the gunman’s ability to carry out the attack.
The families have filed lawsuits against Instagram parent company Meta Platforms, the maker of the popular video game series Call Of Duty, and the manufacturer of the gun used in the shooting. They allege that these companies played a role in promoting and glorifying combat, gun violence, and killing, ultimately influencing the gunman’s actions.
According to the families’ lawyer, Josh Koskoff, these companies formed a “three-headed monster” that exposed the gunman to weapons, conditioned him to see violence as a solution to his problems, and trained him in their use. The legal cases claim that the shooter had been playing Call Of Duty since the age of 15, practicing with a virtual version of the rifle he used in the attack.
The lawsuits also accuse Instagram of failing to enforce rules prohibiting the promotion of firearms and harmful content to children. Additionally, the families claim that the gunmaker Daniel Defense used the social media platform to endorse the illegal and deadly use of its weapons.
In response to the legal action, the makers of Call Of Duty, Activision, expressed sympathy for the families affected by the shooting but emphasized that millions of people worldwide enjoy video games without resorting to violence. The Entertainment Software Association, a trade group representing the video game industry, pushed back on the notion that video games are linked to real-world violence, citing research that has found no connection between gaming and violent behavior.
Daniel Defense and Meta Platforms have yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuits. Similar legal actions have been taken against law enforcement officials over their handling of the shooting, with survivors seeking compensation and justice for the tragedy.
As the Uvalde community prepares to mark the two-year anniversary of the shooting with a vigil for the victims, President Joe Biden sent a letter offering prayers for those lost, their families, and the wounded. The legal battle surrounding the Uvalde school shooting continues as families seek accountability and justice for their loved ones.