The Lawsuit Condemns EA’s Safety Accommodations
In a series of developments that resulted from last Sunday’s shooting in Jacksonville, one Madden NFL tournament victim is suing EA and the venue that hosted the event, Chicago Pizza. The lawsuit extends to the Jacksonville landing mall in which the venue is located, the plaintiff’s lawyer citing that both the marketplace and EA failed to facilitate a safe environment for tournament attendees. However, the lack of a safe environment is just one among a series of complaints leveled against the event’s organizers.
Jacob Mitich was shot twice during the Jacksonville shooting and is suing EA and Chicago Pizza for what the lawsuit deems an “abject failure” to create a safe environment. This ultimately resulted in the death of two bystanders and injury of a dozen more. According to a statement, it was the organizer’s responsibility to provide accommodations and security for everyone involved.
“Like many of his friends, Jacob Mitich traveled to Jacksonville last weekend to do what he loved,” said James Young, an attorney with the personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan, in a statement accompanying the lawsuit. “He trusted the event host and organizers, and believed that he was walking into a safe space. That trust was shattered when shots rang out in an over-crowded, since-shut-down, non-permitted space. Combined with an alleged abject failure to provide adequate security, the result was tragic. We are bringing this lawsuit to hold those responsible accountable, and to ensure that gamers like Jake are able to get together to pursue their passion without having to fear for their lives.”
Electronic Arts recently started a tribute fund for the victims of the Jacksonville shooting, donating $1 million to the injured and to the families of the deceased. In a statement, the company revealed that they will be hosting a livestream to secure additional funds for everyone involved in the tragedy. Responding to the lawsuit, EA said the following to Kotaku: “At this time, we are fully focused on supporting the victims and all those affected by this tragic event.”
Mitich’s lawyer also alluded to Jacksonville Landing’s reputation, citing a multitude of crimes over the years. Shootings, stabbings, and other violent acts seem relatively common to the area, unfortunately. “The last thing Plaintiff recalls from this ordeal was the genuine belief that he was going to die,” the lawsuit reads.
While public gaming events are common around the world, security accommodations are not. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the Jacksonville lawsuit sends ripples throughout the video game community and instigates new safety standards. This is a developing story, and we’ll be delivering updates as they arrive.
SOURCE: Kotaku