According to the complaints filed in Nevada and California, the company, which also owns the Route 91 Harvest festival location, took reasonable steps to ensure such an atrocity did not occur and that it has “no liability of any kind to defendants.” 
 
 Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the company in the wake of last October’s shooting, which left 58 people dead and more than 850 injured. “It’s just really sad that they would stoop to this level.” 
 
 David Becker/Getty Images 
 
 In a statement to 8 News Now, MGM spokeswoman Debra DeShong said: “The unforeseeable events of October 1 affected thousands of people in Las Vegas and throughout North America. “From the day of this tragedy, we have focused on the recovery of those impacted by the despicable act of one evil individual. While we expected the litigation that followed, we also feel strongly that victims and the community should be able to recover and find resolution in a timely manner. “Congress provided that the Federal Courts were the correct place for such litigation relating to incidents of mass violence like this one where security services approved by the Department of Homeland Security were provided. “The Federal Court is an appropriate venue for these cases and provides those affected with the opportunity for a timely resolution. Years of drawn out litigation and hearings are not in the best interest of victims, the community and those still healing.” 
 
 "MGM is trying to beat these people to the courthouse and declare that they have no rights," said Craig Eiland, attorney.
– MGM Resorts is suing more than 1,000 victims of the Oct. 1 shooting in Las Vegas, claiming it has "no liability of any kind." The company—which owns the Mandalay Bay hotel from which Stephen Paddock opened fire, as well as the targeted venue of the Route 91 Harvest country music festival—argues it shouldn't be held responsible for 58 dead and more than 850 injured because it hired a security company certified by the Department of Homeland Security for "protecting against and responding to acts of mass injury and destruction," per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Under the 2002 Safety Act, a company is granted liability protection if it uses "anti-terrorism" services that can "help prevent and respond to mass violence." Therefore, all claims against MGM Resorts "must be dismissed,” the federal complaint states. Lawyers for victims don't agree. "MGM is trying to beat these people to the courthouse and declare that they have no rights," a Texas attorney tells Las Vegas Now, arguing the case should be heard in state court in Nevada, where MGM is based. Las Vegas attorney Robert Eglet says filing in federal court is a "blatant display of judge shopping" that "verges on unethical." In a statement, per Newsweek, however, MGM says federal court is indeed "the correct place for such litigation relating to incidents of mass violence … where security services approved by the Department of Homeland Security were provided." Additionally, it provides "the opportunity for a timely resolution," MGM says. (Paddock allegedly showed the "mark of a sociopath.")