The families of schoolchildren who were tragically shot at Robb Elementary School in 2022 have taken a bold step in seeking justice for their loved ones. Two lawsuits were filed on Friday, accusing Instagram, the publisher of the popular “Call of Duty” video game, and a manufacturer of semiautomatic rifles of contributing to the training and equipping of the teenage gunman responsible for the massacre.
The lawsuits, filed on the second anniversary of the elementary school shooting, claim that these companies played a role in “grooming” the teenager to become a mass shooter. The legal action, one filed in California and the other in Texas, marks a significant response to the increasing number of mass shootings in the United States.
One of the lawsuits targets the publisher Activision, making it one of the first attempts to hold a video game maker accountable for promoting weapons used in mass shootings. The other lawsuit focuses on the gun maker, Daniel Defense, alleging that they would not have been able to connect with the gunman without the assistance of technology and video game companies.
The families, represented by lawyer Josh Koskoff, who has previously challenged gunmakers over mass shootings, are seeking justice and accountability for the tragic loss of their loved ones. The lawsuits face significant legal hurdles, including federal laws that have historically protected online platforms and gun manufacturers from liability for shootings.
The intersection of social media, video games, and gun culture has become a focal point in the fight for gun control. The lawsuits highlight the potential role of these companies in promoting and normalizing the use of firearms, particularly in the context of violent video games.
The families are seeking justice and accountability for the devastating loss they have endured. The legal battle ahead will be challenging, but they are determined to hold these companies accountable for their alleged role in the tragic events that unfolded at Robb Elementary School.
