At least four people were dead and 11 others were being treated after a “mass shooting” on Sunday in downtown Jacksonville, Fla., at a popular shopping center filled with bars and restaurants, law enforcement sources told Fox News on Sunday.
The gunfire was heard at a video gaming event held at Jacksonville Landing, Madden NFL Championship Series. The shooting, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, happened “inside one of the restaurants in the Landing.”
Investigators said that “no outstanding suspects” remains, and noted a suspect, only identified as a white male, was found dead at the scene. It was not immediately clear whether that suspect was among the four reported killed.
The incident is being investigated as a criminal act, and not an act of terrorism, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
One witness at the gaming event told Fox News that someone who was competing in the tournament lost and “went crazy and started shooting up the room.” However, police have not confirmed a possible motive, nor have they released the name of a suspect.
The gamer said he had gone outside to make a phone call when the shots rang out. He said he saw people fighting to get out of the place, and he started running from the area.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on Twitter it is responding to the reported mass shooting in downtown Jacksonville.
Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville confirmed to Fox News that three individuals are being treated right now, and remain in stable condition.
The shooting took place in the Jacksonville Landing area, which is located along the St. Johns River and is described as an area with “a wide variety of waterfront dining options and a cozy inside shopping mall.”
Several people on social media participating in the Madden NFL tournament reported hearing gunshots shortly after 1:30 p.m. during the livestream of the tournament on the platform Twitch. Sunday’s event was held at GLHF Game Bar, which is located in Jacksonville Landing.
A video surfaced on social media showing players disconnecting from the game as gunshots were heard in the background. At least 12 gunshots were heard in the video.
A reporter from Fox-affiliate CBS47/FOX30, Brittney Donovan, said that at least one person was seen being loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Just saw someone on a stretcher loaded into an ambulance at this intersection. This is near the #Jacksonville Landing where @ActionNewsJax is told there has been a shooting pic.twitter.com/AY0GwTfTx7
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) August 26, 2018
Madden NFL 19 is a new video game based on the NFL that’s developed and published by EA Sports.
The sheriff’s office said that “many people” were found hiding in locked areas at the riverfront shopping complex.
“We ask you to stay calm, stay where you are hiding. SWAT is doing a methodical search inside The Landing,” police said. “We will get to you. Please don’t come running out.”
Drini Gjoka, who won the 2018 Madden Challenge, said on Twitter he was injured in the shooting in a series of posts on Twitter.
“The tourney just got shot up. Im leavinng [sic] and never coming back,” Gjoka wrote.
I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
“I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb,” he posted. “Worst day of my life.”
Worst day of my life
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
Via FoxNews
