The tragic impact of the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting in Uvalde continues to reverberate as families of survivors and victims now turn to legal action against shipping giants UPS and FedEx.
The lawsuit, filed in Bexar County in May, alleges that the companies bear responsibility for their role in facilitating the transportation of the firearm and trigger accessories used in the devastating attack, according to USA Today.
The lawsuit, which seeks a jury trial to determine compensatory and punitive damages, is claiming severe physical, mental, and emotional harm.
The plaintiffs argue that UPS and FedEx’s actions contributed to the anguish and suffering endured by those affected, leading to ongoing medical expenses and loss of income.
According to the lawsuit, FedEx delivered the rifle used by the shooter to Oasis Outback, a local retailer of hunting and fishing products. Meanwhile, UPS transported the Hell-Fire trigger modification, which enabled the rifle to fire at an accelerated rate, directly to the shooter, per USA Today.
The legal challenge alleges violations of the shipping companies’ very own regulations. UPS, for instance, prohibits shipments containing goods that might endanger human or animal life, while FedEx explicitly forbids the transportation of firearms, weapons, and ammunition.
Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that the carriers breached federal codes governing interstate sales of firearms. UPS, in particular, is accused of violating a federal law prohibiting firearms within 1,000 feet of schools by delivering the trigger modification to the shooter’s residence, located within that distance of Robb Elementary School.
In response to the lawsuit, UPS has asserted that it will “defend accordingly,” dismissing the claims as lacking merit, according to USA Today. The company emphasized its compliance with all applicable federal laws governing the shipment of firearms and components.
Likewise, FedEx has affirmed its commitment to lawful and secure transportation practices, asserting compliance with relevant laws and regulations. At the time of the statement to USA Today, the company had not yet been served with the lawsuit.
The legal battle also highlights a concerning detail: the shooter’s age at the time of purchase.
The lawsuit asserts that the acquisition of the weapon and trigger modification occurred when the shooter was under the age of 18, a violation of existing laws. This assertion, according to USA Today, is contrary to the findings from the Texas House Investigative Committee’s report on the Robb Elementary shooting, which revealed that the perpetrator procured the rifle shortly after reaching the legal age threshold.
Last month, the families of the victims in the mass shooting, which left two teachers and 19 children dead and 17 others injured, announced a $2 million settlement with the city of Uvalde. However, according to statements from the families’ legal representatives, they also intend to initiate fresh lawsuits against law enforcement members and the school district.
Additionally, recent legal action from the victims’ families has resulted in a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, social media titan Meta (parent company of Instagram and Facebook), and video game giant Activision. These lawsuits aim to uncover the purported marketing strategies that could have enabled the shooter’s access to weapons and potentially numbed him to violence, as outlined in a report from The Texas Tribune.
