Multiple people have been killed and numerous others injured at Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, Florida after at least one gunman opened fire on a tournament for the video game Madden 19 reports CNN. At least one suspected gunman is dead, as confirmed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Twitter.
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
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
"It could have been me," says contestant, who was on his way to Madden tournament where deadly mass shooting happened in Jacksonville, Florida. https://t.co/36ovApFjQk pic.twitter.com/yjBDGCvuOn
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 26, 2018
Video footage of players streaming their game live was interrupted by the attack. One moment the gamers are sitting there having fun, the next gunshots are ringing out and players are yelling in terror. The audio is deeply unsettling and hard to listen to so proceed with care.
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT
The mass shooting in downtown Jacksonville today during a Madden Tournament was captured on @Twitch
If you can't even play video games without fear for your life, then we need #GunReformNowhttps://t.co/2RLGDa2Jxm pic.twitter.com/jDDv85g77H
— Grant Stern (@grantstern) August 26, 2018
Matt Pearce of The Los Angeles Times tweeted that a witness at the event claims the shooter was a competitor who lost his game, then proceeded to open fire before ultimately killing himself. This account of events has yet to be confirmed by authorities.
https://twitter.com/mattdpearce/status/1033794188284850176
While details are still coming in about the attack, it’s unfortunately shaping up to be an all-too-familiar story. Americans have learned to expect these tragedies, as month after month they unfold, taking innocent lives, often without any real explanations.
This country has an epidemic of gun violence, and until those in power take substantive steps to prevent future shootings the blood is on their hands. It’s far past time the Republican Party joined Democrats calling for better gun control regulations. Lives are at stake.
