MGM Resorts International has come to an agreement with the victims of a mass shooting that took place in and around of one of their hotels.
A gunman opened fire on a Las Vegas country music festival from the 32nd floor of MGM's Mandalay Bay resort in 2017, killing 59 people and wounding 422 more. According to lawyers for victims of the shooting, the hotel has agreed to pay between $735 and $800 million to settle several class action lawsuits.
"While nothing will be able to bring back the lives lost or undo the horrors so many suffered on that day, this settlement will provide fair compensation for thousands of victims and their families," attorney Robert Eglet said. "We believe that the terms of this settlement represent the best outcome for our clients and will provide the greatest good for those impacted by these events."
Attorneys for the victims argued that MGM should be held liable for negligence as they allowed the gunman to amass an arsenal of weaponry in his room ahead of the shooting, noting that he moved 20 heavy bags of weapons and ammo into his hotel room without being questioned.
Initially, MGM earned a raft of bad press by countersuing the victims of the shooting to avoid being held liable. They claimed a law that pushed companies to install counterterrorism technology in their buildings and avoid paying damages in the event of an attack. While the company has given up on that tack, they have not admitted fault of wrongdoing in the settlement.
MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren told NPR that "prolonged litigation around these matters is in no one's best interest. It is our sincere hope that this agreement means that scenario will be avoided."
