An investigation into a mass shooting at a Madden 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Florida is underway. According to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, and multiple news sources, there are multiple people dead and many others injured and sent to the hospital.
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
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted at least one suspect is dead at the scene.
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 shooting happened at the live Madden NFL 19 Classic August 28th being streamed on Twitch. Where moments of the shooting were caught on camera. EA Sports Madden NFL and EA Sports tweeted their reactions.
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.
— Madden NFL 24 (@EAMaddenNFL) August 26, 2018
Saying.
This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved.”
The Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office is one scene to let everyone know where they can go to find safety and help.
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.”
The tournament started August 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the GLHF Game Bar.
Madden 19 Competitors at the tournament tweeted their reaction to the shooting; some speaking about what the witnessed, while others praise the community built on love and passion for the game.
Shay “Young Kiv” Kivlen said.
These guys are my family man. This hurts so much. Please pray
— Kiv (@young_kiv) August 26, 2018
Drini “Drini” Gjoka tweeted as well, saying.
I will never take anything for granted ever again. Life can be cut short in a second
— Drini (@Drini) August 26, 2018
and
I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb
— Drini (@Drini) August 26, 2018
Chris “Dubby” McFarland says he was taken to the hospital.
They took me to the hospital. Bullet grazed my head. I feel fine, just a scratch on my head. Traumatized and devastated.
— DUBBY (@DubDotDUBBY) August 26, 2018
Matt Pearce, National correspondent for the Los Angeles Times says the gunman was a gamer in the tournament.
New: The Jacksonville gunman was a gamer in the Madden tournament who lost, and he killed himself after opening fire, another competitor tells me. https://t.co/6ftAr6vrd3
— Matt Pearce 🦅🇺🇸 (@mattdpearce) August 26, 2018
The Nerd Stash is following this story and will update it as soon as we learn new information.