Survivors and family members of those killed at the mass shooting at a suburban Chicago July 4 parade filed suit against Smith & Wesson — the rifle used in the attack — for illegally targeting its ads at young men at risk of committing mass violence.
and family members of those killed filed 11 lawsuits Wednesday against the manufacturer of the rifle used in the attack, accusing gun-maker Smith & Wesson of illegally targeting its ads at young men at risk of committing mass violence.
Liz Turnipseed is among the Highland Park survivors alleging that the gun manufacturer, the accused shooter, his father and two gun sellers bear some responsibility for the attack. “I had a unique opportunity to help put a real face on what these guns do to people and ... give it a first-person perspective,” Turnipseed said. “Because there aren’t that many of us that survive. Because they’re that deadly.”
“The pain, loss and grief that we must endure is never ending,” Jon Straus, one of Straus’ two sons, said at an event announcing the suits. “This time it was our family. Next time, it could be yours.”Robert E. Crimo III admitted to the parade killings once police arrested him hours after the attack. “The advertisements and marketing tactics described above demonstrate that Smith & Wesson knowingly marketed, advertised, and promoted the Rifle to civilians for illegal purposes, including to carry out offensive, military style combat missions against their perceived enemies,” her attorneys argue.