Airbnb subject to Halloween house shooting lawsuit

US: The family of a man shot in a bay area Airbnb has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company. 

They claim Airbnb should have known that large crowds, underage drinking and illegal activities frequently occurred there.

The victim, Javlin County, 29, was one of five killed during the event. Investigators claimed that the violence was a result of gang shooting involving multiple gangs in the town of Orinda.

County’s family have also added the owners of the house into the lawsuit, claiming further negligence from the team. The property in question was notorious as a party house, with many neighbours making noise complaints in the months before the shooting.

“Defendants, and each of them knowingly and intentionally promoted and/or encouraged violation of the law by authorising the use of the subject property as a party house,” it stated.

The event was apparently advertised on Facebook as a “mansion party”. Ten people were shot on the premises, with three additional people injured by the fighting.

Airbnb has responded to the lawsuit, saying: “Our thoughts are with the victims of this senseless act of criminal violence.”

Since the most recent shooting incidents, Airbnb has committed to banning party houses from its platform, as well as introducing new guest standards.

In response to a similar shooting in Toronto, Airbnb has piloted an age limit on full-house rentals, raising the Canadian rental age to 25.

In spite of these changes, the lawsuit is moving forward.

Further statements quoted from the filing said: “Defendants, and each of them exhibited conduct that was despicable in that it was carried on with wilful and conscious disregard for the rights and safety of others.”