Word is coming in from various outlets that a mass-shooting incident has erupted during a Madden 19 Tournament at the GLHF Game Bar at The Landing in Jacksonville. At least one suspect is reported to be dead at the scene.
Update 26 Aug @ 7:47 p.m. CDT:
The numbers of dead and injured have been revised downward. Three dead (including the shooter), and 11 injured (of the 11, 9 was from gunshots, the other two suffered while fleeing).
The shooter has been identified as David Katz (who had an original gamertag of Bread but more recently as RavensChamp). Police are saying that Katz's gunshot was self-inflicted.
Update 26 Aug @ 3:34 p.m. CDT:
Local Sheriff department says no outstanding suspects during public briefing. Numbers remain at 15 injured, four deceased. Authorities urge locals to avoid the area due to ongoing investigations. Debriefing of witnesses are ongoing.
Watch: Sheriff's office gives update on deadly mass shooting at Jacksonville, Florida, video gaming event. https://t.co/H8eJwtOdxj
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 26, 2018
Update 26 Aug @ 2:59 p.m.:
News4Jax is reporting an update to the victims report now stating that there are 15 injured and four dead.
Update 26 Aug @ 2:47 p.m.:
News4Jax is reporting four dead out of a total of 10 victims (meaning that six were wounded). It's unclear if the four include the suspect or not since they use the term "victims" in their post.
My sources: 4 dead at Jacksonville Landing. 10 victims. Madden Tournament. All hands on deck. Patients to multiple hospitals.
— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) August 26, 2018
Update 26 Aug @ 2:18 p.m.:
Electronic Arts has made a first comment on the incident via their own Twitter account:
We are aware of an incident at a sanctioned Madden Championship Series competition in Jacksonville. We are working with authorities to gather facts at this stage.
— Electronic Arts #stayandplay (@EA) August 26, 2018
Original Story:
The Jax Sheriff's Office has been tweeting about it throughout the past hour.
Mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing. Stay far away from the area. The area is not safe at this time. STAY AWAY #TheLandingMassShooting
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
Twitch streamer Ninja on Jacksonville video gaming event mass shooting: "My heart goes out to the family, friends and people affected by the madden shooting today. Evil times we live in, just need to out shine that evil with positivity. Love you all."
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 26, 2018
One suspect is dead at the scene, unknown at this time if we have a second suspect. Searches are being conducted. https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
SWAT has asked anyone still in hiding to call 911 as they are doing a methodical sweep of the buildings.
**IMPORTANT** If you are hiding in The Landing. Call 911 so we can get to you. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
Rumors of the shooter being one of the losing players is already making the rounds.
This was a shooting at the EA Madden tournament and rumors are it was one the gamers who lost. Someone has posted a pic of a profile where a kid was upset and wanted to kill.
— RAM813 (@TBBucs609) August 26, 2018
Florida Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham released a statement saying:
I am tired of hearing 'when is enough going to be enough' … 'thoughts and prayers' from those who do nothing. We need to end these mass shootings — and the only way to do that is to vote out the politicians complicit in this cycle of death.
This weekend's event at Jacksonville Landing was scheduled as the first of four qualifier events for the Madden Classic series sponsored by EA Sports.
Given the highly connected nature of gaming events and the community around it, there is sure to be much more emerging very rapidly as the afternoon progresses.