Activision Defends Call of Duty in Uvalde School Shooting Lawsuit
Activision has filed an extensive defense in response to a lawsuit linked to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. The lawsuit, filed by the families of victims, alleges that the shooter was influenced by violent content in Activision’s Call of Duty series.
The shooter, who killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary, was a regular Call of Duty player. The families claim the game, alongside platforms like Instagram, created a harmful environment that contributed to the shooting.
In its 150-page defense, Activision denied any connection between the game and the tragedy. The company also argued that Call of Duty is a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment and sought to dismiss the case under California’s anti-SLAPP laws. Activision included expert testimony to support its position, including a declaration from a Notre Dame professor who compared the game to military films, not mass shooter training.
The families have until late February to respond to Activision’s filings. This case is part of an ongoing debate over the potential link between violent video games and real-world violence.
