Buffalo Shooting Survivors Settle With Gun Industry Members, Shooter’s Parents; Claims Against Social Media Companies on Appeal

Everytown Law, along with co-counsel, filed two lawsuits seeking accountability and reform on behalf of victims of the racist mass shooting that took place at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York on May 14, 2022. Plaintiffs include Wayne Jones, whose mother, Celestine Chaney, was murdered in the attack, as well as more than a dozen survivors, all of whom suffered significant trauma as a result of being in the midst of the horrific mass shooting. 

The lawsuits named as defendants in lawsuit members of the gun industry, a body armor manufacturer, the shooter’s parents, and social media companies. In February 2026, the plaintiffs announced that they had reached settlements with three defendants: magazine-lock manufacturer MEAN LLC, gun dealer Vintage Firearms LLC, and the shooter’s parents. 

RMA Armament, the company that equipped the Shooter with combat-grade body armor is also named as a defendant in the ongoing lawsuit. 

The lawsuits also allege that social media companies YouTube and Reddit prepared the Shooter to carry out his attack as a result of their websites’ defective design and incendiary algorithmic recommendation systems. The New York Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, is currently considering an appeal regarding whether the plaintiffs’ claims against the social media companies may proceed.

Case Documents

Wayne Jones v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Trial Court

Wayne Jones v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Appellate Division

Wayne Jones v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Court of Appeals

Fragrance Harris Stanfield, et al. v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Trial Court

Fragrance Harris Stanfield, et al. v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Appellate Division

Fragrance Harris Stanfield, et al. v. MEAN LLC, et al. – Court of Appeals

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