A shooting at a Jacksonville gaming bar was captured on Twitch on Sunday as a Madden tournament held there quickly turned tragic.
A video stream on the gaming service Twitch showed two men playing a Madden game between two versions of the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons team in red had just scored a touchdown and was kicking off when screaming could be heard in the background of the video as announcers commented on how many good games were happening simultaneously.
Seconds later, the stream is interrupted and only shows that controllers were unplugged from the console while audio of multiple gunshots can be heard.
(WARNING: The Twitch stream, should you choose to watch, is graphic and disturbing, as you can hear at least one man distinctly screaming and others scrambling for cover as multiple shots are fired.)
Oh my god someone just shot up the Jacksonville madden tournament. This is unreal I hope everyone is okay. https://t.co/vs0eS2upIV
— THATS_FlNE (@THATS_FlNE) August 26, 2018
The clip quickly spread on social media, and soon local reporters began giving details about the event from sources at the scene.
BREAKING: Multiple people have been shot at the Jacksonville Landing, according to two of my sources. I’ve been told there are fatalities. Please be careful as we gather details.
A restaurant manager says everyone is on lockdown.
— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) August 26, 2018
He would later report there were multiple fatalities and that hospitals were treating others that were wounded.
Mass shooting happened during Madden Tournament at Chicago Pizza at Jacksonville Landing. 11 shot. At least 4 dead.
— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) August 26, 2018
Local police soon confirmed that there was, indeed, a shooting at The Landing and told people to stay away from the area.
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
Jason Lake, founder of eSports company compLexity, tweeted on Sunday that at least one person had been shot in the thumb and that eSports organizers need to get serious about security at their events.
Our player was shot in the thumb. We’re getting him medical attention and seeking further details.
We will update from the @compLexity Twitter as we learn more.
Very upsetting. We need to do better by our players and fans.
— Jason Lake (@JasonBWLake) August 26, 2018
Lake reported that one of his players was injured at the event but would be OK. We will update with more details as they become available.
UPDATE #1: Police have confirmed multiple fatalities as a result of the shooting, and that many have been transported to local hospitals.
Multiple fatalities at the scene, many transported. #TheLandingMassShooting https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
UPDATE #2: Police say one suspect is dead at the scene and they are unsure if there is a second suspect at this time.
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
UPDATE #3: Vic Micolucci of WJXT reports the number of victims of the shooting is now 15, with four dead, although that has yet to be confirmed by police.
Jacksonville Landing shooting: 15 total victims. 4 dead. Per my sources.
— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) August 26, 2018
UPDATE #4: Last year’s Madden Bowl champ updated his status on Twitter after a bullet grazed his head and he was taken to the hospital.
They took me to the hospital. Bullet grazed my head. I feel fine, just a scratch on my head. Traumatized and devastated.
— DUBBY (@DubDotDUBBY) August 26, 2018
UPDATE #5: Police have cleared the scene at Jacksonville Landing and have determined there are no other suspects.
BREAKING: Jacksonville sheriff: Authorities have cleared the scene of fatal mass shooting at mall; no additional suspects
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 26, 2018