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There were multiple fatalities at a Madden NFL video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday. One suspect is also dead.
A shooter opened fire at Jacksonville Landing, a marketplace and entertainment area in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday during a video game tournament there, authorities said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet on Sunday that there had been a “mass shooting” at the Jacksonville Landing. It encouraged bystanders to stay away from the area, as it was unsafe. The incident reportedly took place during a Madden NFL video game tournament that was underway at GLHF Game Bar in Jacksonville.
Authorities said there had been multiple fatalities at the scene, and others had been transported, presumably, to local hospitals. One suspect is dead, and it is unknown if there is a second suspect.
Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
Here’s what we know about what’s happened so far.
What we know
- The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in a tweet around 2 pm Sunday afternoon said there had been a “mass shooting” in the Jacksonville Landing area and told the public to stay away. About 30 minutes later, officials said that there had been multiple fatalities at the scene, and one suspect was dead.
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 incident took place at GLHF Game Bar in Chicago Pizza in Jacksonville, where a Madden NFL video game tournament was underway. According to the event’s Facebook page, it was a $5,000 tournament and qualifying event for a national competition sponsored by EA Sports later this year.
- The tournament was being live streamed on online platform Twitch, and clips in which what sounded like shots ringing out circulated online for a few minutes before they were taken down. The video has appeared again elsewhere.
- Authorities said they were finding people hiding in locked spaces at Jacksonville Landing and said SWAT was doing a “methodical search” of the area.
We are finding many people hiding in locked areas at The Landing. We ask you to stay calm, stay where you are hiding. SWAT is doing a methodical search inside The Landing. We will get to you. Please don’t come running out. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
- City officials said in a tweet that Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams “are in contact regarding the situation” and would address the media later in the day.
Mayor @lennycurry and Sheriff Williams are in contact regarding the ongoing situation at the Landing. Please follow @JSOPIO and all instructions from the Sheriff's office regarding movement downtown. The mayor and Sheriff are expected to address media later today.
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) August 26, 2018
- Gamers apparently at the event tweeted about it the incident.
Im good and safe. Not gonna report anything but a community that's filled with love, friends and family needs some prayer
— DUBBY (@DubDotDUBBY) August 26, 2018
The tourney just got shot up. Im leavinng and never coming back
— Drini Gjoka (@Drini) August 26, 2018
A live stream recorded the moment gunfire erupted at a Madden 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday.
Warning: The following video contains violent content not suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
What we don’t know
- The exact number of injuries and fatalities.
- The identity of the shooter or his or her motivations.
- Whether there was a second shooter.
h/t Vox
