creator of the video game “Call of Duty”), and Daniel Defense (the maker of the gun used by the teen in the attack).
The lawsuits come two days after the families obtained a $2 million settlement from the city of Uvalde. The massacre took place two years ago, on May 24, 2022, and 21 lives, 19 students, and two teachers were taken at the Robb Elementary School.
One of the lawsuits was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and was against the Social Media Giant - Meta and Activision - the video game “Call of Duty” makers. The lawsuit against Daniel Defense had been filed under the state of Texas in Uvalde District Court. The lawsuits were filed by Josh Koskoff, the same attorney who is representing the 19 families who suffered the loss.
The lawsuits filed this Friday talk about the harmful behavior those companies have against vulnerable souls, including the 18-year-old gunman who provoked the massacre. Even more so, those companies are thought to be responsible for influencing the young generation that lives in a violent fantasy world created by video games and easy access to weapons. The lawsuit also states that the gun used in the attack was similar to the AR-15-style rifle that he used in the video game.
The claims also make Meta and Activision responsible for the deliberate exposing of the gunman to the weapon, influencing him to believe that this was his only option and solution to the problems that he had. Going deeper, it states that the social media giant (Meta), Activision, and Daniel Defense were "partnering…in a scheme that preys upon insecure, adolescent boys".
The attorney also stated that “There is a direct line between the conduct of these companies and the Uvalde shooting” and that “This three-headed monster knowingly exposed him to the weapon, conditioned him to see it as a tool to solve his problems, and trained him to use it.”.
Additionally, the lawsuit states that the gunman was the result of “aggressive marketing” created by Daniel Defense. The gunman was targeted by Instagram ads that promoted the use of guns and related objects from Daniel Defense. “Instagram creates a connection between …an adolescent …and the gun and a gun company,(...) And nobody exploited Instagram for this purpose more than Daniel Defense.", stated Josh Koskoff.
Activision's response stated, “Uvalde shooting was horrendous and heartbreaking in every way (...) Millions of people around the world enjoy video games without turning to horrific acts."
In addition, the families stated that they would be taking legal action against 92 officers of the State’s Department of Public Safety for “shocking and extensive failures".
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