Nation Gunman kills 2, self in Florida
Shooter at video gaming event that was live-streamed was believed to be a player who lost.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A gunman opened fire Sunday at a video gaming tournament as it was being live-streamed from a Florida mall, killing two people and then fatally shooting himself in an attack that sent several others to hospitals, authorities said.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said authorities believe David Katz, 24, of Baltimore carried out the attack using at least one handgun at the Jacksonville Landing, a collection of restaurants and shops along the St. Johns River. He said the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot, adding that authorities were still making final confirmation of his identity with the FBI assisting them in Baltimore.
Nine other people were wounded by gunfire and all were in stable condition Sunday evening after going to hospitals, Williams said. He added that two others were hurt as people sought to flee the gunfire in the panic and chaos that ensued.
Katz was in Jacksonville for the “Madden NFL 19” video game tournament, authorities said. The games maker, EA Sports, lists a David Katz as a 2017 championship winner.
The gunman was competing in the tournament and lost, according to Steven “Steveyj” Javaruski, one of the competitors. The shooter “targeted a few people” before killing himself, Javaruski told the Los Angeles Times in a direct message on Twitter.
Investigators were looking into online video that appeared to capture the scene right before the shooting began, Williams said. A red dot that appears to be a laser pointer is visible on the chest of a player seconds before the first of about a dozen gunshots rings out.
Marquis Williams, 28, and his girlfriend, Taylor Poindexter, 26, both from Chicago, were ordering pizza at the bar when they heard the first shot.
“Initially we thought it was a balloon popping, but there weren’t any balloons in the room,” said Williams, who had taken part in the tournament. “Then we heard repeat shots and we took off running.”
Jason Lake, the founder and CEO of compLexity, a company that owns professional e-sports teams, said on Twitter that one of his players, 19-year-old Drini Gjoka, was shot in the thumb.
“I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb. Worst day of my life,” Gjoka tweeted.
On Sunday evening, an FBI official in Baltimore confirmed that its agents were searching the family home of the man authorities said they believe was behind the attack. An FBI spokesman, Dave Fitz, said agents had gone to the house of the man’s father in Baltimore. He declined to release specifics, citing the investigation.
“Madden NFL 19” is the 30th installment of the popular NFL video game series, which has sold more than 100 million copies. Developed by EA Sports, its release each summer — just before the start of football season — is practically a holiday for many NFL and video game fans. “Madden NFL 19” was released about two weeks ago.
The shooting took place at the southeast regional qualifying contest for the “Madden NFL 19” Classic tournament, which advertised a $5,000 grand prize, and was open to any competitors as part of the broader Madden NFL Championship series of tournaments. The top two finishers were to receive a berth in the finals in October.
The tournament, like most esports tournaments, was being streamed on Twitch, an Amazon-owned live-streaming platform used heavily by gamers. Spectators watch the games, many hoping to pick up skills and tips from more experienced gamers.