Families in Uvalde took legal action on the second anniversary of the Robb Elementary School attack, suing Meta Platforms, owner of Instagram, and the maker of Call of Duty. They also filed a lawsuit against Daniel Defense, the manufacturer of the AR-style rifle used in the shooting, which left 19 students and two teachers dead. The lawsuits alleged that these companies bear responsibility for the products used by the teenage gunman and played a role in influencing him to commit the attack.
In addition to the lawsuits against the technology and gun-making companies, some families also filed a $500 million lawsuit against Texas state police officials and officers involved in the response to the shooting. More than 370 officers responded but delayed confronting the shooter, leading to additional casualties. This legal action came as the small Texas city of Uvalde remembered the victims and mourned the tragic anniversary of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
The lawsuits against Meta and Activision Blizzard in California were filed by families of the victims from the attack, while the lawsuit against gun-maker Daniel Defense was filed in Texas by the same group of families. Activision expressed condolences for the tragedy but pushed back on blaming video games for violence, highlighting the lack of evidence linking gaming to real-world violence. The Entertainment Software Association also rejected baseless accusations against video games and emphasized the need to focus on root issues to prevent future tragedies.
According to the lawsuits, the Uvalde shooter had played versions of Call of Duty since he was 15, including one that allowed him to practice with the rifle he used in the shooting. The families accused Instagram of not enforcing rules that prohibit marketing firearms and harmful content to children, alleging that the shooter was influenced by aggressive marketing strategies on the platform. Daniel Defense was also criticized for its marketing tactics promoting illegal and violent use of its weapons on Instagram.
Community members in Uvalde planned a vigil to remember the victims of the school shooting, along with other commemorative events such as bell ringing and butterfly release at a local church. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the community in a letter, urging prayers for the lost, their loved ones, and those who were wounded. The lawsuits seek accountability for the tragedy and aim to address the responsibility of technology and gun companies in influencing individuals to commit violent acts.
