The families of victims killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, have filed two wrongful death lawsuits on the second anniversary of the tragic event. The first lawsuit targets a firearms manufacturer, Daniel Defense, while the second lawsuit is against two technology companies, Meta and Microsoft, for their alleged role in the marketing of the weapon used in the shooting.
The gunman, Salvador Ramos, attacked Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, killing 19 children and two teachers, and leaving 17 others injured. The lawsuits allege that Activision’s video game Call of Duty played a significant role in shaping the gunman’s mindset, as it features realistic weapons models that he had been playing since he was 15 years old. The lawsuit claims that the game created a violent and addictive environment where teenagers learn to kill with ease.
The families also accuse Instagram, owned by Meta, of failing to properly oversee its platform and allowing gun sellers to market their products to minors. The families argue that Daniel Defense and the two technology companies participated in a scheme targeting insecure teens that ultimately led to the tragic shooting in Uvalde. Attorney Josh Koskoff, representing the families, states that the companies exposed the gunman to the weapon, conditioned him to use it as a problem-solving tool, and trained him in its use.
Daniel Defense is already facing other demands related to the Uvalde shooting and has denounced similar lawsuits as frivolous and politically motivated. Activision, on the other hand, condemned the Uvalde shooting, expressing condolences to the affected families and communities. The video game industry lobby group, the Entertainment Software Association, notes that people in other countries play video games without resorting to violence like that seen in the United States.
Gun ownership is a significant part of American culture, protected by the Second Amendment. Recently, the families of the Uvalde victims reached a $2 million settlement with the town, citing failures in law enforcement response to the shooting. A separate federal lawsuit was filed against state police officers involved in the response to the shooting, highlighting systemic failures in handling the tragic event.
In conclusion, the families of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting are seeking justice through legal action against the firearms manufacturer and technology companies they believe played a role in the tragic event. They are also calling for accountability and changes in how such tragedies are prevented and responded to in the future.
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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/25/families-of-uvalde-school-shooting-victims-sue-microsoft-meta-and-gunmaker