Gunman reported to have opened fire at an NFL gaming tournament
ADVERTISEMENTA gunman killed two people and injured scores more during a live streaming video game event at a restaurant in Florida on Sunday.
Three people were found dead at the scene, including the gunman, identified as David Katz, 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, who took his own life, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff, Mike Williams at a press conference on Sunday. Nine victims were injured from gunshot wounds and two others transported themselves to hospital. The 11 victims are in stable condition, according to Williams. In total, 14 people were affected by the mass shooting.
Police say they were called on scene at 1:34 pm on Sunday at Chicago Pizza inside Jacksonville Landing, a waterfront entertainment complex and shopping site in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Police said Katz used one handgun during the shooting.
On Twitter, the mother of NBA 2K League player, Timothy Anselimo, said her son was shot three times and asked the public to pray for her son.
The police released a stern advisory for locals to stay away from the perimeter.
“Stay far away from the area. The area is not safe,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter. “We can’t stress enough to stay away. Many blocks away.”
The restaurant was live streaming a qualifying tournament for a Madden football video game when several shots rang out, according to video of the stream shared on social media.
In the video, players can be seen reacting to the gunfire and cries can be heard before the footage cuts off.
One Twitter user, Drini Gjoka, said he was in the tournament and was shot in the thumb.
“Worst day of my life,” Gjoka wrote on Twitter. “I will never take anything for granted ever again. Life can be cut short in a second.”
The sheriff’s office said its deputies were finding many people hiding in locked areas at The Landing.
“We ask you to stay calm, stay where you are hiding. SWAT is doing a methodical search,” it said on Twitter. “We will get to you. Please don’t come running out.”
Local news footage showed several ambulances, as well as firefighters and police officers, on the scene, as well as roads being blocked off in the downtown area.