Jacksonville Landing to remain closed Monday in wake of Sunday's deadly shooting

Gunman identified as 24-year-old David Katz of Baltimore, who killed himself after attack that left two dead and 11 wounded.


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  • | 4:06 p.m. August 26, 2018
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Jacksonville Sheriff's Office vehicles surround the Jacksonville Landing after a suspect, or suspects, killed at least four people and injured several more during a video game tournament.  Photo by David Cawton
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office vehicles surround the Jacksonville Landing after a suspect, or suspects, killed at least four people and injured several more during a video game tournament. Photo by David Cawton
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UPDATED: 1:35 p.m. Monday

Janice Lowe, general manager of the Jacksonville Landing, said the shopping center will remain closed Monday while police continue to investigate the shooting Sunday that left three dead including the person identified as the gunman.

The Landing said via Twitter it plans to open Tuesday with normal business hours.

Hospitals care for victims

Three of the people injured at the Jacksonville Landing mass shooting and transported to Memorial Hospital are listed in good condition, the hospital reports.

"Three individuals who were shot today while at a Jacksonville Landing gaming tournament are being treated at Memorial Hospital...All of the patients transported to Memorial Hospital are in good condition," a release from the hospital reads.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families impacted today, particularly those who lost a loved one from this tragic event,” said ER Medical Director Dr. Frederick Jenkins. “While we hate to see events like this occur in our community, we are committed to ensuring that our families have the care they need when they need it most.”

UF Health Jacksonville said it treated six patients and that four have been discharged. Of the two remaining, one is in good condition and one us in serious condition and under observation.

Three dead, including gunman

A 24-year-old Baltimore man shot and killed himself after killing two fellow video gamers and injuring many others at a "Madden 19" tournament Sunday afternoon at Chicago Pizza in the Jacksonville Landing, Sheriff Mike Williams said at a news conference.

An additional 11 people had gunshot wounds and two received other injuries, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff had said four were dead, including the suspect, earlier Sunday.

The sheriff said the suspect, pending confirmation, was David Katz and that his car was impounded by Baltimore authorities. Williams did not share details about the motive, but did confirm that Katz was competing at the tournament.

He asked the public to share any other details they may have with the agency, including if there are any other victims who were at the event. The contact number is (904) 630-0500 or [email protected]

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry also attended the conference and said the city is in "mourning."

"This will require us to do the hard work of public safety to make sure people are safe," he said. "One crime in our city is too many. Tonight we pray for the wounded and for those who were lost."

Curry, as well as Williams, thanked the first responders for getting to the scene quickly.

"They responded perfectly," Curry said. "In terrible times, we see the best of people."

Curry asked the public to pray for Jacksonville as "we deal with this senseless tragedy."

Williams added that the Sheriff's Office will be releasing additional information about the suspect, as well as details about potential street and business closures near the Landing.

Statement from the Jaguars:

The Jacksonville Jaguars posted an official statement from its owner, Shad Khan, on Twitter.

"It's impossible to comprehend today's news," it reads. "I'm heartbroken for the families and friends of the victims and can only express my deepest condolences as we try to understand why and how this can happen, not only here, but anywhere.

"What I can say is I know today what lifelong Jacksonville residents have known forever -- we are resilient, compassionate and remarkable supportive of our neighbors and friends, particularly in the most trying occasions. This tragedy will ask the best of all of us, but I know we will respond."

Jacksonville Civic Council statement:

The Jacksonville Civic Council released a statement Sunday evening regarding the mass shooting.

"The members of the Jacksonville Civic Council wish to express their sincere condolences to the families, friends and neighbors of those lost in today’s shooting at The Jacksonville Landing. We join people of goodwill throughout our city in condemning the violence and praying for the injured, as well as all those affected by violent crime in our community. We are grateful for the swift response of JSO and JFRD personnel.

"Coming hard on the heels of Friday night’s shooting at the Lee-Raines football game, this incident is a painful reminder that Jacksonville – like our nation – has a problem with gun violence. This is a fraught topic, and our members reflect the community’s diverse opinions on how to address it. However, we are unanimous in our belief that this climate of violence is intolerable, and our desire to be part of the solution. We stand ready to support law enforcement and community efforts to stop the violence."

Former mayor Alvin Brown comments:

Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown shared his beliefs that weapon loopholes need to be closed and "military" type weaponry need to be taken off the streets.

Brown, who spoke to members of the media following the mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing, said events like this -- a video game tournament -- should have better security like those seen at airports or national football games.

"We need gun reform in this country," he said, adding that he believes in universal background checks, closing gun show loopholes and working with the National Rifle Association to "get a lot of these guns off the street."

He said no elected official, whether they are local, state or federal, should ever accept campaign funding from the NRA.

"We have to get rid of Stand your Ground (laws). I think it's a license to kill," Brown said. "We have to be honest about this whole issue of gun safety."

Sheriff warns of inaccurate reports:

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported via Twitter that the amount of people killed or injured at the mass shooting Sunday afternoon has not been released yet.

"There are inaccurate numbers being distributed by local and national media. This is fluid and as soon as we have confirmed numbers they will be released," the agency posted.

'We have finished clearing the Landing':

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams held a brief press conference Sunday afternoon, revealing that there are no other suspects besides the one who was killed at the scene, which was a white male.

"We have finished clearing the Landing of potential witnesses and victims," he said.

Williams said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is still working to confirm the identity of the suspect as well as those of the deceased victims. He did not have a victim count yet.

Williams said the JSO knows of the existence of the video making its way across social media outlets, which shows a broadcast of the video game being interrupted by loud gunfire and screams.

"If people have other videos or any other information about this case, please reach out," he said, listing the JSO's non-emergency line at (904) 630-0500 and Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

Williams said he and Mayor Lenny Curry will be holding another press conference later today with more details.

He encouraged the public to stay away from the Downtown Jacksonville area. He said those "spectating" will be diverted away. 

Watch Staff Writer David Cawton's Periscope video of Sheriff Mike Williams: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1mnGeoXZzLYxX

Reaction from those in Jacksonville:

Officials with Jacksonville Landing released a statement not long after the shooting.

“We are deeply saddened at the incident and pray for everyone involved. The Jacksonville Landing is fully cooperating with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and all ongoing investigations,” it reads.

Reginald Gaffney, the Jacksonville City Council member who represents the Downtown area, said his biggest frustration is that the public "continues to see these things happening in America."

"As long as these young kids have these guns, we're going to continue to have situations like this," he said. 

"We really have to ask ourself in America, what are we going to do about guns?" he asked. "We keep kicking that can down the road, and that's not going to solve the issues right now."

Gaffney said this incident, as well as the shooting at the high school football game on Friday that killed one and injured two people, has put a "blackout" on the Jacksonville area both locally and nationally, in that people may not want to come to the Downtown area.

"I know the sheriff is working as hard as he can to make Jacksonville a safer city, but the question is, are we doing enough?" he said. "And I don't know the answer yet, but I'm hoping to get the answer in the next couple of days when I meet with the mayor and the sheriff."

Gaffney asked the community, churches and others to "come together to come up with real solutions."

"Because remember this, it can be you the next time," he said.

Jacksonville City Council member Sam Newby said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families."

"We're Jacksonville strong and we're going to continue to be," said Newby, who is on the council's At-Large - Group 5 seat.

Previously reported:

By Vic Micolucci - News4Jax I-TEAM reporter, anchor, Ethan Calloway - Anchor/reporter, Jim Piggott - Reporter, Roxy Tyler - Web producer, Steve Patrick - News4Jax digital managing editor

At least four people are dead and several others wounded Sunday afternoon in a mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing, reports our news partner WJXT News4Jax.

Jacksonville police said one suspect is dead. News4Jax sources say he killed himself. The SWAT team is doing a methodical search of the Landing and the immediate area to make sure there are no additional gunmen.

Officers are finding people hiding in locked places and people are urged to stay calm and where they are and not come running out.

"We will get to you. Please don't come running out," said JSO via Twitter. 

Police urged everyone to stay away from the area because it is not safe.

Witnesses said they saw several people being taken out on stretchers. 

Randy Wyse, president of the firefighters union, said Engine Company 1 was training in the area and victims began running up to them before they received the emergency call. He said victims ran as far as the CSX building, about a half mile away to get help.

The wounded victims have been taken to Memorial Hospital, where three victims were in stable condition, and UF Health Medical Center, where one person with serious injuries and five more in good condition.

Early reports say the shooting began during a Madden 19 tournament at the Good Luck Have Fun Video game room inside Chicago Pizza. Several gunshots can be heard on the audio of a livestream of the tournament.

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Stay tuned to JaxDailyRecord.com for further updates.

 

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