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Families of victims from the 2022 Uvalde school shooting have filed a lawsuit against several companies, claiming they contributed to the tragedy. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, targets Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and Activision, the maker of the video game 'Call of Duty.' The families allege that the shooter, Salvador Ramos, was influenced by violent content on these platforms.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit accuses the companies of negligence, aiding and abetting, and wrongful death. The families argue that 'Call of Duty' encouraged violence by immersing Ramos in a gameplay loop with real-world weapons, including the Daniel Defense AR-15 he used in the attack. They also claim Instagram exposed Ramos to ads promoting gun violence.
The families, including Tess Mata's parents, traveled over 1,200 miles to confront the companies in court. Veronica Mata, Tess's mother, stated, "They glorify these weapons. They made it enticing for young kids to want to purchase these guns."
Activision has filed for dismissal, asserting that 'Call of Duty' is protected by the First Amendment as a work of art. Meta has also sought to have the case dismissed, citing legal precedents that protect social media platforms from liability for third-party content.
The lawsuit highlights concerns about the influence of violent media on young people. It points out that the three deadliest K-12 school shootings in U.S. history were committed by young men who played 'Call of Duty' and used AR-15 rifles. The case's outcome could be decided at a hearing on Friday in downtown Los Angeles.
The families continue to seek justice and accountability. Veronica Mata expressed determination, saying, "We can step forward, and we can make that change and make them understand that what they’ve done and what they continue to do is not benefiting them or anybody else."