NFL
Mass Shooting At Madden Gaming Tournament In Jacksonville, Florida Leaves Multiple Dead
Three people died with eleven wounded after a mass shooting at a Madden tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday.
One suspect was also found dead from a self-inflicted wound, according to the Associated Press. He was later identified by Jacksonville police.
The shooting took place at the GLHF Game Bar in Jacksonville Landing.
During a press conference, Sheriff Mike Williams revealed the suspect was a white male who acted alone.
“We just finished clearing the [Jacksonville] Landing of potential witnesses and victims,” said Sheriff Williams. “[There are] no outstanding suspects at this time … We have one suspect in this case. He is deceased at the scene.”
A Twitch Stream Captured The Shooting On Video
Significantly, for investigators, is a video of the shooting. The video, captured on a tournament Twitch stream, shows two players attacked during a game. Notably, shouting can be heard in the background shortly before shots were fired.
The video also shows a red dot quickly appearing on a player’s chest, likely a laser pointer, moments before shooting started.
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
Several gamers at the tournament tweeted about the attack. Many expressed fear about future events, also questioning how this was able to happen.
I got out. Police escorted me. I’m done going to any Madden events not EA Majors with security.
— Noble SteveyJ (@ImSteveyJ) August 26, 2018
The tourney just got shot up. Im leavinng and never coming back
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
Police Identify The Suspected Shooter
Sunday evening, Jacksonville police revealed the suspect as 24-year-old David Katz. Katz, who went by the nicknames “Ravenschamp” and “Bread,” was also a gamer at the tournament. Witnesses identified Katz as the shooter after fleeing the scene. Katz allegedly carried out the attack after losing early in the tournament. He had previously won a 2017 tournament in Buffalo.
Local sheriff identifies shooter in #JacksonvilleLanding massacre as David Katz, 24, of Baltimore, MD. Katz, known as “bread”, won the Madden 17 Bills tournament at @716FoodandSport in Buffalo. @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/TKmcfZn5ap
— Michael Wooten (@wgrzMichael) August 26, 2018
Reactions Around The NFL
The NFL, players, and Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan took to Twitter to address the shooting and send condolences.
We are grateful for the first responders immediately on the scene. We support our partners at EA Sports and will continue to monitor developments with local law enforcement. (2/2)
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2018
Can’t even play a tournament without someone shooting it up. That’s crazy. Prayers up ?? https://t.co/4G9Qv5eRpi
— DeVante Parker (@DeVanteParker11) August 26, 2018
Damn, praying for Jacksonville. This nonsense has to stop #prayforjacksonville
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) August 26, 2018
Praying for everyone at the landing! Wow, This is crazy! I literally just left downtown before this happened! #JAX
— Demetrius McCray (@mccrayd_10) August 26, 2018
Statement from our owner Shad Khan: pic.twitter.com/06dDq1uFaz
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 26, 2018
This Is The Second Football-Related Shooting In Jacksonville This Week
On Friday night, a shooting at a Jacksonville high school football game left one dead and two injured. After the game, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of 4,000 people leaving the stadium.
Similarly to Sunday’s mass shooting, the high school shooter also acted alone. It is especially tragic for two shootings to occur over such a short time in the same city.
