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Several Killed in Mass Shooting in Jacksonville, Florida

BY August 26, 2018


Several people were killed this afternoon during a mass shooting at the Madden 19 Tournament at the Jacksonville Landing, a large shopping and dining complex, in Jacksonville, Florida. The local sheriff’s office has confirmed they have a suspect dead at the scene. SWAT teams are combing the area for more suspects.

A Twitter live stream captured the moment the shooting occurred.

Reports indicate as many as four people are dead, with at least 10 others sustaining injuries. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says he is in contact with Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and the shooting has been characterized as an “ongoing situation.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott has announced Florida Department of Law Enforcement personnel is responding to the shooting.

“We will continue to receive updates from law enforcement,” he wrote.

According to Malik Brunson, a witness who was at a nearby Hooters when the shooting began at the GLHF Game Bar, a man ran screaming into the restaurant shortly after the first shots were fired.

“I was in Hooters, all I heard was he got a gun and the shooting started,” Brunson told CNN. “One of the men ran into hooters with the shot wounds — they locked us in the restaurant.”

The Jacksonville Landing hosts year-round entertainment, as well as multiple dining options and a shopping mall. According to GLHF Game Bar’s Facebook page, today’s event was the Southeastern Qualifier for the Madden NFL Championship Series for Madden NFL 18.

“This is your chance to earn your spot in the first Major’s Live Finals happening in October 2018. Don’t hesitate to secure your spot,” a part of the post reads.

In a statement, Jason Lake, CompLexity Gaming founder, and CEO, revealed more information about the condition of one of their players, who was hit by gunfire.

We’re obviously shocked and saddened by this afternoon’s events. Our player, Drini, was hit in the thumb but is going to be fine. He managed to escape and run down the street to a nearby gym. He’s currently cooperating with the authorities and we will be flying him out of Jacksonville as soon as we are given the green light from the officials on the ground,” he said.

Members of the gaming community have already begun to respond to the news of the shooting.

This is Jacksonville’s second mass shooting in as many days. Yesterday, a shooting during a football game at Raines High School, where about 4,000 spectators attended, left one person dead and two others injured.

This is a developing story.

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