Baltimore Man IDed As Jacksonville Mass Shooter: Officials

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Authorities said a gamer from Baltimore opened fire during a Madden NFL 19 video game tournament at the popular Jacksonville Landing entertainment complex, and three people — including the lone suspect — are dead. Eleven more people were hurt in the mass shooting.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Sunday night identified the suspect as 24-year-old David Katz of Baltimore and said there were a total of 14 victims, 12 with gunshot wounds. Nine were taken to hospitals by emergency responders, and two more drove themselves.

Katz, who was part of the competition, used at least one handgun, the sheriff's office told reporters Sunday night. Authorities are not commenting on any possible motive.

Federal agents said they were in south Baltimore as part of the probe into the mass shooting after 8:20 p.m. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that its special agents were working with FBI agents in the south Baltimore area.

Single suspect is a white male. Pending confirmation, we believe the suspect is a 24-year-old, David Katz from Baltimore, MD. FBI is assisting us in Baltimore, MD. https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 27, 2018

Officials converged in the 1200 block of Harbor Island Walk near Locust Point as part of the investigation, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Authorities said they think Katz stayed in the area of the gaming competition overnight in Jacksonville, Florida, and are trying to pinpoint where exactly. His vehicle has been impounded.

Tournament participant Steven "Steveyj" Javaruski told the Los Angeles Times the shooter was a disgruntled gamer who had played in the tournament and lost, then "targeted a few people" before killing himself.

"I got out. Police escorted me. I'm done going to any Madden events not EA Majors with security," Javaruski wrote.

A Twitch livestream showed two gamers playing Madden when a red laser dot appeared on the chest of a player wearing a red and white sweater and white headphones. More than a dozen gunshots then rang out, and at least one person screamed in agony.

Here's what we know so far about David Katz, who had participated in several Madden competitions in the past. The sheriff's office said Katz, also known as Bread, SlicedBread and ravens2012champ, was in Jacksonville from Baltimore for the tournament: https://t.co/59AVRvmjR8 pic.twitter.com/o0hl8YsXWa
— Tom Cleary (@tomwcleary) August 26, 2018

Witness Ryan Alemon told CNN he saw the gun laser. Everyone ran and ducked for cover when about 20 shots rang out, he said. Alemon ran and hid in a restroom for about 10 minutes.

"Everyone was just running, and everyone was dropping because they were getting shot," he said, adding that he also heard people yelling for help.

Authorities said people continued hiding in locked areas at the Jacksonville Landing long after the gunfire stopped.

Other videos posted on YouTube showed a heavy law enforcement presence at the Landing, as well as numerous firetrucks and ambulances. Deputies blocked off the area.

The Madden video game tournament was being held Sunday at GLHF Game Bar. The $5,000 tournament began around 11 a.m., according to the bar's Facebook page. CompLexity Gaming, a professional gaming team, tweeted that there appeared to be a shooting at the Jacksonville Madden event and at least one of its players was hurt.

"There appears to have been a shooting at the event, and @YoungDrini was grazed in the hand. He is away from the scene and safe," the company said.

CEO Jason Lake told CNN he was watching one of his gamers, Drini Gjoka, playing the Madden when shots rang out. Gjoka was shot and believes the player next to him was also shot, said Lake.

"He's not severely injured, thank God," Lake said. "He then ran out of the building onto the street and took shelter at a nearby gym. He's obviously pretty shaken."

Gjoka, whose twitter handle is @YoungDrini, tweeted that he was shot in the thumb and called it the "worst day" of his life. "I will never take anything for granted ever again. Life can be cut short in a second," wrote Gjoka.

The Jacksonville Landing, which hosts hundreds of events every year, is located along the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville. It features numerous restaurants, nightlife and shops. The gaming bar is at the back of Chicago Pizza.

City Mayor Lenny Curry said he is in contact with Sheriff Mike Williams regarding the ongoing situation.

Gov. Rick Scott said he is also in contact with Williams to offer any necessary state resources.

President Donald Trump has been briefed and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tweeted it was responding.

EA Sports said it is aware of the incident at a sanctioned Madden Championship Series competition. "We are working with authorities to gather facts at this stage," the company said.

The names of the victims were not immediately released.

— By Dan Hampton, Patch National Staff

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Pictured, Jacksonville Sheriff's boats secure the docks in front of Jacksonville Landing on Aug. 26 in Jacksonville, Florida. A shooting rampage during a Madden 19 video game tournament at the site claimed four lives, with several others wounded, according to published reports. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)