Victim’s Family Pushes to Update Son of Sam Laws for the Social Media Age

06 June 2026

The family of one of the young men killed in the notorious Mackenzie Shirilla case is leading a campaign to modernize Ohio's Son of Sam laws, arguing that existing legislation has failed to keep pace with the realities of social media, online fame, and digital monetization. Their goal is simple yet deeply personal: ensuring that convicted violent offenders cannot profit from the crimes that devastated victims' families.

At the center of the effort is Christine Russo, the sister of Dominic Russo, who was killed alongside his friend Davion Flanagan in July 2022 when Mackenzie Shirilla intentionally crashed her vehicle into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio. Shirilla was later convicted and sentenced to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life in prison.

For the Russo family, the tragedy did not end with the criminal conviction. In recent months, renewed public attention surrounding the case has reignited painful memories. Interest in the story surged after the release of a popular documentary that introduced the case to millions of viewers worldwide. While some audiences became fascinated by the circumstances of the crime, Dominic's family found themselves reliving one of the darkest periods of their lives.

Christine Russo fears that the attention surrounding the case could eventually create opportunities for Shirilla to gain followers, publicity, sponsorships, or other forms of financial benefit connected to the crime. According to Russo, existing Son of Sam laws were designed decades ago to prevent criminals from profiting through book deals, movie rights, and media contracts. However, she believes those laws no longer adequately address the modern digital economy.

The original Son of Sam laws emerged after public outrage over the possibility of criminals earning money from stories about their crimes. At the time, lawmakers focused primarily on traditional media opportunities. Today, social media platforms have created entirely new avenues for generating income and influence, including sponsorships, crowdfunding campaigns, merchandise sales, livestream donations, subscriptions, and advertising revenue.

In response, Russo launched a petition supporting what has become known as "Dom's Law" or "Dom and Davion's Law." The proposal seeks to expand legal protections by addressing digital forms of monetization that did not exist when earlier laws were written. Supporters argue that violent offenders should not be allowed to transform notoriety into personal gain through online platforms.

The campaign has attracted significant public support, with hundreds of thousands of people engaging with the issue through petitions, media coverage, and social media discussions. Advocates say the movement is about more than a single case. They believe it could establish a framework that protects victims' families in future high-profile crimes as well.

For Christine Russo, however, the issue remains intensely personal. She has repeatedly emphasized that no family should have to watch the person responsible for a loved one's death gain fame, attention, or financial opportunities because of the crime. Her advocacy has become part of a broader mission to preserve the memory of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan while pushing for legislative change.

The debate highlights a growing challenge facing lawmakers across the country. As social media continues reshaping how people build audiences and generate income, legal frameworks created decades ago are increasingly being tested by modern realities. Questions about notoriety, accountability, free speech, and victims' rights have become more complex than ever before.

Whether Ohio ultimately updates its laws remains to be seen. What is already clear is that the Russo family intends to keep fighting. For them, the campaign is about ensuring that tragedy never becomes a pathway to influence, popularity, or profit, and that the focus remains on the lives that were lost rather than the person responsible for taking them.