Gunfire broke out just before 2 p.m. on Sunday at a gaming bar along Jacksonville’s riverwalk in what Florida authorities are now calling a mass shooting.
Police in Jacksonville, Florida, have confirmed that there were multiple fatalities.
“Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted at 2:45 p.m.
Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
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
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson said one suspect is dead at the scene of the shooting. It is unclear if there is another suspect, but deputies are searching the area.
One suspect is dead at the scene, unknown at this time if we have a second suspect. Searches are being conducted. https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
Preliminary reports suggest that four were killed in the shooting, and seven were wounded.
According to USA Today, local media reported reported heavy police and emergency response presence at the scene.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Florida Department of Law Enforcement personnel are responding to the shooting, and he is in contact with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
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 (@FLGovScott) August 26, 2018
“Mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing. Stay far away from the area. The area is not safe at this time. STAY AWAY #TheLandingMassShooting” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted earlier Sunday afternoon.
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 can’t stress enough to stay away. Many blocks away,” the sheriff’s office said.
We can’t stress enough to stay away. Many blocks away. https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
Early reports indicate that the shooting took place during a video game event at GLHF Game Bar next to Chicago Pizza in Jacksonville Landing. CompLexity Gaming, organizer of the Madden NFL 19 championship series, a football video gaming tournament, posted on Twitter that “there appears to have been a shooting at the event.”
American eSports organizations have tweeted that the shooting took place during the southern qualifier round, The Huffington Post reports.
CompLexity Gaming, which represents player Drini Gjoka, tweeted that he had been “grazed in the hand” during the shooting.
An update from the Jacksonville Madden event:
There appears to have been a shooting at the event, and @YoungDrini was grazed in the hand. He is away from the scene and safe.
— compLexity Gaming (@compLexity) August 26, 2018
“Worst day of my life,” Gjoka said. “I will never take anything for granted ever again. Life can be cut short in a second.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.