A gunman opened fire Sunday during an online video game tournament that was being livestreamed from a Florida mall, killing multiple people and sending many others to hospitals, authorities said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office did not immediately confirm the number of dead at the Jacksonville Landing, a collection of restaurants and shops along the St. Johns River, according to the Associated Press.
Several media outlets, including our news partner the Miami Herald, are reporting at least 4 people dead and 11 shot during the incident.
At least one suspect was dead after the attack on the video football tournament, which was held in a gaming bar that shares space with a pizzeria. Viewers could watch the games online and see the players.
Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office usedTwitter and Facebook to warn people to stay far away from the Jacksonville Landing.
The department said to "stay far away from the area. The area is not safe at this time. STAY AWAY."
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
"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 sheriff's office said via Twitter.
The GLHF Game Bar at the Landing was hosting a Madden 19 video game tournament at the time of the shooting.
"The tourney just got shot up," said a player named Drini Gjoka on Twitter, according to a report by NPR. "I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb. ... Worst day of my life."
"They took me to the hospital. Bullet grazed my head. I feel fine, just a scratch on my head. Traumatized and devastated," said another player, known as Dubby, also on Twitter.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he's spoken to the sheriff's office "to offer any state resources he may need."
I’ve spoken to @JSOPIO Mike Williams to offer any state resources he may need. FDLE is currently responding, and I have spoken to FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen regarding the shooting in Jacksonville. We will continue to receive updates from law enforcement.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) August 26, 2018
The GLHF Game Bar at the Landing posted on Facebook that "All GLHF staff are safe and accounted for." The venue was hosting the EA Madden Southeastern Qualifiers Playoffs on Sunday, according to its Facebook page.
The official Twitter account for EA SPORTS Madden NFL said it was awareof the incident and "working with authorities to gather facts at this stage." It added: "This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved."
According toThe New York Times, “just before the shots were heard on the live stream, a red laser dot appeared on the chest of one of the players, who was wearing white headphones and a red sweatshirt. The video of the players then disappeared.”
The mass shooting comes after one person was killed and two were injured at a high school football game Friday night, reported The Florida Times-Union.
This is a developing story. We will focus on reports from police officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.
