Two Killed in Shooting at Jacksonville Landing Video Game Tournament

Two Killed in Shooting at Jacksonville Landing Video Game Tournament

Two people were killed and several others were injured by a gunman at a Madden 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.

Two people were killed and 11 others were injured when a gunman open fired in a restaurant hosting an esports video game tournament on Sunday, August 25.

Fifty to 100 people were gathered inside a restaurant at The Landing, an open-air marketplace in Jacksonville, Fla., when shots rang out. Calls to 911 were placed at 1:34 p.m. and first responders arrived on the scene two minutes later.

According to police, there were three deceased people at the scene when they arrived — two victims and the suspected shooter, a 24-year-old white male who police believe traveled from Baltimore, Md. to participate in the Madden 19 video game tournament. Police have not released a motive for the shooting, but did say the suspect brought at least one handgun to carry out the shooting.

Nine victims were transferred to local hospitals with gun shot wounds. Two others got themselves to a hospital with injuries stemming from the mass chaos of the event.

The shooting unfolded in the middle of the tournament, while it was being livestreamed on Twitch, a popular video game streaming website. The video captured audio of the incident as it happened: people screaming, shots ringing out, one person cried out, "What did he shoot me with?"

Police worked closely with ATF and law enforcement in Baltimore as they closed in on the suspect's home in Maryland. Police believe that the gunman came to Jacksonville with the sole intention of participating in the video game tournament, but it was not immediately clear if he had taken a flight with his gun checked. Investigators were also looking for clues as to where he stayed the night before the tournament.

The shooting is the last in a long string of public mass shootings in Florida: a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland earlier this year; five people were gunned down at the Fort Lauderdale airport last year; and 49 people were shot dead at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in 2016.

"We have got to change," Gov. Rick Scott told reporters on Sunday night. "We've got to really stop and say to ourselves: there's something wrong. Why are young men willing to give up their life, or why don't they value somebody else's life?"

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Meeting Modern Demands

    Door hardware and access control continue to be at the forefront of innovation within the security industry, continuously evolving to meet the dynamic needs of commercial spaces. Read Now

  • Leveraging IoT and Open Platform VMS for a Connected Future

    The evolution of urban environments is being reshaped by the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and open platform VMS. As cities worldwide grapple with growing populations and increasing operational complexities, these integrated technologies are emerging as powerful tools for creating more livable, efficient, and secure urban spaces. Read Now

  • Securing the Future

    Two security experts sit down with Security Today’s editor in chief Ralph C. Jensen to discuss what they see emerging and changing over the next several years along with how security stakeholders can harness these innovations into opportunities. Read Now

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.