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.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Aug 27, 2018

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

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • 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.

  • 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.