MGM Resorts International has filed nine lawsuits across the country against 2,500 victims of the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas in an unprecedented move that had plaintiffs lawyers accusing the entertainment conglomerate of forum shopping and defense lawyers scratching their heads.

The lawsuits seek declaratory relief that MGM was not liable for the massacre. MGM’s move struck an immediate backlash on social media for targeting the victims and from plaintiffs lawyers, who accused the company of attempting to push all the litigation into more defense-friendly federal court.