‘Lots of kids trampled on,’ says witness; police say one suspected gunman dead after shooting rampage at a video game tournament
JACKSONVILLE, Florida: Police reported “multiple fatalities” in a mass shooting at a video game tournament inside a popular mall in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday.
One suspect was dead at the scene, the local sheriff’s office said, adding that it did not know if there was a second suspect and officers were “finding many people hiding in locked areas”.
At least four people died, while 11 others were wounded following the shooting at a Madden NFL video game tournament, according to local media, though the death toll cannot be independently verified at this point.
Among those reportedly injured include several competitors and a Complexity pro Madden player. The incident was live streamed on Twitch, a live streaming video platform.
Jacksonville Sheriff: Shooter could still be in the area. https://t.co/xOJYsFlQ5r pic.twitter.com/Y5G5OrOTk5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2018
Police said their SWAT team is doing a methodical search inside The Jacksonville Landing where the incident took place.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office: “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.” pic.twitter.com/cdLx0Hm2Q5— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2018
The Sheriff’s Office twitted: “One suspect is dead at the scene, unknown at this time if we have a second suspect. Searches are being conducted.”
A witness told a local TV station: “There were a lot of kids trampled on. There was total chaos.”
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 tournament is being held at The Jacksonville Landing, a marketplace in the downtown section of Florida’s most populated city.
In a clip of the Jacksonville shooting circulating on Twitter, one can see a red dot aim at a player on the right before the camera cuts out. Twitter
“Mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing. Stay far away from the area. The area is not safe at this time. STAY AWAY,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter.
An audio recording, taken while the players were competing, reveals sounds of gunfire during the tournament.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the people at the Madden Tournament in Jacksonville. It’s sick to know that someone that evil would shootup a video-game tournament. Don’t believe me about the shooting? Here is proof. pic.twitter.com/C652zIW8q1— wyatthudson (@SCSTWyatt) August 26, 2018
“Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported,” the sheriff added.
This is at the corner of Bay Street and Laura in downtown #Jacksonville @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/iyPw4tMvv1— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) August 26, 2018
No other information was immediately available, including any details about the attacker and victims.
This is a developing story. Please refresh for updates.
