More than two years after the deadly Robb Elementary School shooting, four families from Uvalde are suing tech and firearm industry giants, alleging they played a role in promoting the violent influences that led to the massacre. The lawsuit targets Meta, Activision, and Daniel Defense.
The family of 10-year-old Tess Mata, who was among the 19 children lost in the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, has teamed up with three other families to file a lawsuit against major corporations they allege played a role in the tragedy.
A civil lawsuit has been initiated in L.A. County Superior Court, targeting Activision, the creator of Call of Duty; Meta, the parent company of Instagram; and gun manufacturer Daniel Defense. The suit alleges that these entities contributed to the shooter’s violent thoughts through their digital presence and marketing strategies.
Before the unfortunate event, Tess’s parents actively supported her social media activities as she showcased her dance skills and produced videos, aspiring to achieve fame on TikTok. However, following her passing, they claim their perspectives on online platforms and gaming shifted significantly.
There are now claims that 18-year-old shooter Salvador Ramos was affected by constant exposure to hyper-realistic gun content in Call of Duty and promotional gun advertisements on Instagram. During the incident, Ramos used a Daniel Defense AR-15-style rifle, a weapon also featured in the video game.
“They celebrate these weapons,” stated Tess’s mother, Veronica Mata. “They created an appealing allure for young children to desire these firearms.” The legal complaint contends that Call of Duty influenced Ramos to become a shooter. At the same time, Instagram provided him with information on how, where, and when to purchase the weapon, all lacking adequate safeguards to keep minors from accessing this type of content.
Activision has submitted a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that it is protected under the First Amendment. Meanwhile, Meta has also requested dismissal, citing legal immunity regarding third-party content on its platform. The families argue that both companies played a role in promoting lethal weapons to impressionable and at-risk individuals.
The lawsuit links the tragic events in Uvalde to a larger pattern, highlighting that the three most lethal K-12 school shootings in the United States—Uvalde, Sandy Hook, and Parkland—all featured young men who engaged with Call of Duty and utilized AR-15 rifles.
“Call of Duty is a simulation, not a game,” the complaint contends. “It instructs participants on how to target, reload, and eliminate with accuracy — employing actual firearms.” The lawsuit alleges that Ramos deliberately chose the Daniel Defense rifle due to its depiction in the game, despite the branding not being overt.
Discussions regarding the potential progression of the lawsuit took place on Friday in Los Angeles. Daniel Defense, which is also mentioned in a different lawsuit in Texas, has yet to make a public statement.
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