Jesse Rizo, uncle of Robb Elementary shooting victim Jackie Cazares, is sickened that anyone would even think of turning a tragedy into a video game.
SAN ANTONIO — The popular gaming platform Roblox is facing mounting scrutiny after Texas lawmakers raised concerns about a user-created game that allowed players to take on the role of the gunman in the Robb Elementary School shooting that ended with 19 children and two teachers dead.
The controversy has prompted calls for accountability and an investigation into the platform, which has a user base largely made up of children.
The game, which has since been removed from the online platform, featured virtual depictions of Robb Elementary’s hallways and an avatar resembling the teenage shooter. According to the Anti-Defamation League, a group called Active Shooter Studios is known for creating maps based on real-world tragedies.
Jesse Rizo, the uncle of 9-year-old victim Jackie Cazares, said he was deeply disturbed by the game’s existence.
“It’s like you relive that nightmare again and then you have to see it on some video game,” Rizo said.
Rizo questioned how anyone could create or engage with such content, especially given the platform’s young audience.
“Totally insensitive to think that someone would actually come up with that idea, to think that it’s for whatever reason, you know, I’m going to put it out there at an age where children are so vulnerable to people that are downloading the game, that are playing the game,” Rizo said.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he was alerted to the game by State Representative and former Uvalde mayor Don McLaughlin. Burrows has directed the House Committee on State Affairs to examine the issue and pursue accountability from platforms like Roblox.
Burrows said the focus will include content moderation, age verification, and preventing predatory interactions between minors and adults online.
In a statement on X, Burrows emphasized the platform’s responsibility to protect young users.
“When nearly 40 percent of Roblox’s 144 million daily users are under 13, there must be zero tolerance for weak safeguards and indifferent oversight,” Burrows said. “Platforms that allow content glorifying real-world violence are putting children at risk.” “The Texas House will not look the other way while companies aimed at children permit—and profit from—this kind of environment. Accountability is coming, and we will be ready to act.”
Rizo said he appreciates the effort by lawmakers to address the issue but is frustrated it reached this point.
“I’m grateful for Mr. McLaughlin, our state rep. to raise awareness, raise a flags to say hey we gotta do something about this,” Rizo said. “But the fact that we even have to get to that point, it’s upsetting.”
A spokesperson for Roblox said the company removed the content and reiterated its policies against such material.
Here’s the company’s full statement:
“Any glorification of the tragedy at Robb Elementary School deeply concerns us. Behaviors that promote violent extremism and depictions of sensitive real-world events are against our policies, which we work tirelessly to enforce. The content referenced by the Texas Speaker of the House has been removed and any users who upload such content are immediately banned from our platform upon detection.
Roblox has built a multi-layered safety system that includes advanced AI-powered detection, monitoring teams, 24/7 moderation, and robust user reporting tools. We have always blocked the sharing of images or videos in chat, and we use rigorous filters designed to prevent the exchange of personal information. Through mandatory age-checks, younger users are restricted to chatting with peers by default, and for those under nine, chat is disabled. Building on these safety features, we are introducing two new account types – Roblox Kids and Roblox Select – that are designed to limit users under 16 to an age-appropriate set of experiences.
We take immediate action when we detect violations of our standards and work closely with law enforcement to hold bad actors accountable. While no system can be perfect, we work around the clock to enhance our safety measures.” – Roblox Spokesperson