The shooting allegedly occurred in or near a restaurant at the Jacksonville Landing. According to preliminary reports, it appears the shooting may have also happened outside of that restaurant as well.
Jacksonville police, via Sheriff Mike Williams, has said «there are no outstanding suspects at this time». There is a lone suspect, a white male, who is dead. The suspect has not yet been identified.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 404-630-0500 or 866-845-TIPS. Tips can also be emailed to JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
If you are in the Jacksonville area, the local police department asks that you do not visit the area at this time. Authorities have said the crime scene is «large».
Update – 8/26/18 @ 4:21 p.m.:
Information just released by the Los Angeles Times, alongside esports reporter Rod Breslau, (via Polygon) is reporting that the suspect in the shooting was a player at the tournament.
There will be a press conference from local authorities at 4:30 p.m. EDT.
Update – 8/26/18 @ 3:52 p.m.:
The Los Angeles Times is reporting a source has told them «the shooter shot at least five people, killing two or three, before taking his own life.»
CNN has also reported a witness, Ryen Aleman, «said the shooter may have had a laser to assist his aim on the gun.»
Original Story:
According to multiple news outlets and local authorities, a gunman opened fire at the Southeastern Qualifier for the Madden 19 Championship Series in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday afternoon. Jacksonville police have said on their official Twitter account that «one suspect is dead». Preliminary reports say that four individuals have been killed, seven have been wounded.
The shooting occurred earlier this afternoon at the GLHF Game Bar at the Jacksonville Landing, located along the St. Johns River. GLHF Game Bar is just 1.3 miles from TIAA Bank Field.
The tournament was being livestreamed on Twitch when the shooting occurred. Out of respect for those invovled and their families, we are neither sharing audio nor video of the stream.
According to IGN, Drini Gjoka, a player from Complexity Gaming, tweeted at 1:41 p.m. EDT that he had been shot in the thumb, but was safe.
I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb
– Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
Per CNN, EA is aware of the situation and has released the following preliminary statement via the company’s official Twitter account: «This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved.»
As of this writing, three individuals are being treated for injuries at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville.
The Southeastern Qualifier was the first part of the Madden 19 Classic tournament, which is set to culminate in Madden Classic Live Finals in Las Vegas, NV in October.
The qualifying event began on Saturday, August 25 and was set to close on Sunday, August 26. The tournament was for two spots in the upcoming 2019 Madden Bowl.
This is a developing story…
