Prayers flood in after shooting at Madden tournament: 'Esports as one today'
EA Sports and others tweet condolences as details on the deadly shooting at the video game event continue to surface.
A mass shooting broke out during a Madden 19 tournament Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida, with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office so far reporting three fatalities including the suspect and 11 injuries resulting from the shooting.
The suspected shooter, believed to be 24-year-old David Katz from Baltimore, is dead at the scene, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said during a news conference, adding that authorities didn't believe there were any additional suspects.
One player, known as Young Drini, who was at the tournament, tweeted about being thankful for his life after being grazed in the thumb during the shooting. "I will never take anything for granted ever again," he wrote.
The tourney just got shot up. Im leavinng and never coming back
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
I will never take anything for granted ever again. Life can be cut short in a second
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
If I havent said it before, I'll say it now. I LOVE ALL YOU GUYS
— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018
Social media quickly flooded with prayers, thoughts and condolences in reaction to the news.
EA Sports, which develops and sanctioned the event at the GLHF Game Bar, said on Twitter that it's aware of the tragic incident and sent out sympathies.
This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) August 26, 2018
Joey Cuellar, head of the Evo fighting game championships, announced on Twitter that his organization will be stepping up security at future events.
While Evo does not comment on security procedures (for obvious reasons), it's very clear that we need to be more proactive for 2019 and beyond. The amount of undercover law enforcement at Evo was unprecedented, and we will be installing metal detectors for ALL days next year.
— Joey Cuellar (@MrWiz) August 26, 2018
CBS News tweeted out a video interview with a contestant heading to the competition.
"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
More esports and video game organizations also offered their condolences to the tragic news.
We are saddened by today’s tragedy in Jacksonville, Florida. There is no place for this sort of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to those affected by today’s events.
— ESL (@ESL) August 26, 2018
Esports as one today. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by today's tragedy in Jacksonville, Florida.
— PSG Esports (@PSGeSports) August 26, 2018
We are deeply saddened to hear of the shooting that took place at a Madden Tournament this afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida.
— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) August 26, 2018
We want to express our condolences to the victims and extend our support to everyone impacted by this tragic event.
The entire Philadelphia Fusion family is saddened to hear of the tragic shooting that took place this afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida.
— Philadelphia Fusion (@Fusion) August 26, 2018
We stand together with the gaming community in offering our condolences to the victims and their families.
Florida we stand with you. Gamers we stand with you. The entire Florida Mayhem family is horrified by today’s violence and senselessness in Jaxonsville. Our thoughts and compassion are with all of the victims.
— Florida Mayhem (@FLMayhem) August 26, 2018
The entire Cloud9 Family and Community is deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic events that unfolded in Jacksonville this afternoon. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to the victims, families, and all those affected by today's violence. Stay safe.
— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) August 26, 2018
Our hearts are with the people and gamers in Jacksonville, Florida today.
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 26, 2018
We are incredibly saddened by the events that occurred in Jacksonville. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and those affected.
— Esports Arena (@EsportsArena) August 26, 2018
The gaming family is strong, and we are all behind you.
Professional fighting gamer Justin Wong tweeted condolences in reaction to what happened.
My heart is broken... Condolences for the Madden community and everyone that was affected by the shooting.
— Echo Fox Justin Wong (@JWonggg) August 26, 2018
This really makes me scared of going to any event in America. I always think in the back of my mind this could happen and we are only human and it sucks. Idk what to do..
I’ll be honest.. At EVO I was scared just because there was barely any security. I was always looking around but extra looking around to see no trouble would happen. I really hope security measures are stepped up at events now. I would pay extra just to be safe. Life is priceless
— Echo Fox Justin Wong (@JWonggg) August 26, 2018
This really hit hard on me. I love gaming so much and this was my place to get away all the time. Now it’s really hard to keep that same level of enjoyment now.
— Echo Fox Justin Wong (@JWonggg) August 26, 2018
Im sorry I’m just a cautious person I know we shouldn’t live in fear but I personally can’t help it. Breaks my heart
The NFL issued its own statement of condolences for victims and supporting EA Sports.
We are grateful for the first responders immediately on the scene. We support our partners at EA Sports and will continue to monitor developments with local law enforcement. (2/2)
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2018
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow sent out prayers for Jacksonville, his hometown.
Praying for my city of Jacksonville!
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) August 26, 2018
And many other people offered general thoughts and prayers on Sunday, including a #PrayerForJacksonville hashtag.
Prayers up to Jacksonville
— JEAN CLAUDE (@CardoGotWings) August 26, 2018
thoughts and prayers to EA fans, players and everyone in Jacksonville FL.
— luni (@nygiantsfan1982) August 26, 2018
#PrayForJacksonville For something as terrible as this to happen here is heartbreaking. I was at the Landing yesterday. My thoughts go out to those who are affected.💔
— Anna Ceballos (@ceball249) August 26, 2018
Praying for my city 😓 #PrayForJacksonville
— teresa♛ (@teresaarena_) August 26, 2018
My heart goes out to people at the Madden event in Jacksonville. People just trying to enjoy a game series they love at a fun competition. Awful and infuriating that this stuff can happen. 💜
— Ellen Rose (@icklenellierose) August 26, 2018
My heart goes out to those involved in the Jacksonville Landing mass shooting. 💕
— Holly Q (@HollyQM13) August 26, 2018
Editors' note: This article was first published Aug. 26, 2018 at 2:19 p.m. PT and is updated frequently as more reactions and statements are issued.
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