Three are dead including the gunman and at least 11 people were injured after a mass shooting during a Madden 19 video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. The shooting took place as the tournament was live-streaming online.
One suspect, a white male, was dead at the scene according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office.
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
The gunman was later identified as David Katz, who had lost earlier in the tournament: ‘As his competitors continued to game Sunday, Katz got a handgun and opened fire in the pizzeria. Horrified fans watched the violence unfold on a livestream online. The shooter “targeted a few people” before killing himself, according to Stephen “Steveyj” Javaruski, one of the gamers, who took shelter in a bathroom. At the end of it, Katz and two of his competitors were dead: Elijah Clayton and Taylor Robertson — better known to their rivals and fans in the gaming world by the handles they adopted for the screen.’
Katz was the winner of the Madden 17 championship in 2017.
Congrats to David Katz, the Madden 17 Bills Championship winner!
Thanks for following along, Bills fans. https://t.co/YHJHzlFElc pic.twitter.com/incdEhLxkT
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) February 27, 2017
EARLIER:
NBC News reports: ‘Three people were admitted to the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital and are in stable condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. The shooting appears to have occurred inside a pizza restaurant that includes a bar dedicated to video games and other forms of gaming. The bar was in the middle of hosting the Madden 19 Southeastern Qualifier Tournament, which comes with a $5,000 prize. Madden 19 is the latest NFL football video game put out by sports game publisher EA Sports.’
Variety adds: “The tournament, which was held at GLHF Game Bar in the Landing along the St. Johns River, was broadcast on Twitch. Multiple loud gunshots can be heard over footage of gamers playing “Madden NFL 19.” As the controller disconnects, audio can be heard of an attendee saying, “F—, what is he shooting with?” More shots are fired, and screaming can be heard in the background.”
March for our Lives Jacksonville is working on coordinating a response to the recent mass shooting. We once again are incredibly devastated to hear of such tragedy. We need to make sure this does not ever happen again in our city!! #TheLandingMassShooting
— March For Our Lives Jacksonville (@march4livesjax) August 26, 2018
March For Our Lives collective releases statement on Jacksonville mass shooting: "We should not have to experience #AnotherFLShooting. We must #StopGunViolence." pic.twitter.com/q02SZIowVS
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 26, 2018
How many mass shootings in your state will it take for you to do something?
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) August 26, 2018
The Madden livestream. Warning: Audio is disturbing.
WARNING: DISTURBING – Audio of the shooting caught on this Twitch stream during the Madden tournament in Jacksonville. Multiple fatalities, 1 suspect dead, per @JSOPIO. pic.twitter.com/KLppNuHBlT
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) August 26, 2018
