JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP / WBZ-AM) — A gunman opened fire Sunday during an online video game tournament that was being livestreamed from a Florida mall, killing three people and injuring an additional 11, according to Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams.
Among those dead is the suspect, 24-year-old David Katz of Baltimore, Maryland, who Williams said took his own life. Authorities have cleared the scene and are seeking no additional suspects. Authorities say the suspect used at least one handgun.
Williams said there were 14 victims injured, 12 of which with gunshot wounds. Those numbers could fluctuate over the course of the investigation, though.
Jacksonville city councilman Reginald Gaffney tells ABC News that he’s fed up with the lack of gun control.
“We’ve got to answer the question: what will we do about guns?” Gaffney said. “America, right now, doesn’t want to take that issue on, but we’ve got a gun problem in America right now and you can see it goes from city to city.”
A doctor, who treated several of the victims at nearby UF Health Jacksonville, told reporters that, to her knowledge, victims were, roughly, in their 20s and 30s. Some patients were from out of state, she said.
The sheriff's office used Twitter and Facebook to warn people to stay far away and to ask anyone who was hiding to call 911.
"We are finding many people hiding in locked areas at The Landing. We ask you to stay calm, stay where you are hiding. SWAT is doing a methodical search inside The Landing. We will get to you. Please don't come running out," the sheriff's office said via Twitter.
The GLHF Game Bar at the Landing was hosting a Madden 19 video game tournament at the time of the shooting.
President Trump has been briefed on the situation, and White House officials are monitoring it, according to spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.
Florida politicians have taken to Twitter to share their reactions to the incident.
"Horrifying news from #Jacksonville this afternoon," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted. "Have spoken to local authorities & am still awaiting more information on this shooting. Situation still unfolding, law enforcement is asking everyone to avoid the area. #Sayfie."
"Another mass shooting - this time in Jacksonville," Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) tweeted. "First responders, doctors and nurses are acting heroically. We are deeply grateful to them. Politicians offering only thoughts and prayers are acting cowardly. We must demand more from them."
"I’ve spoken to @JSOPIO Mike Williams to offer any state resources he may need," Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted. "FDLE [Florida Department of Law Enforcement] is currently responding, and I have spoken to FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen regarding the shooting in Jacksonville. We will continue to receive updates from law enforcement."
"Devastated by reports of another mass shooting in Florida," Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) wrote. "Praying for all involved. But more than prayers, we need action to stop such senseless violence in our communities."
"Our prayers go out to those killed and injured in #Jacksonville shooting, and we hope shooter will be brought to justice. #Sayfie @Everytown @CityofJax," said Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL).
"How many mass shootings in your state will it take for you to do something?" Parkland mass shooting survivor David Hogg tweeted to Florida Republican Sen. Rubio.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends and people affected by the madden shooting today," pro gamer Ninja said on Twitter. "Evil times we live in, just need to out shine that evil with positivity.”
After the shooting, police barricaded a three-block radius around the mall. Officers and Coast Guard boats patrolled the nearby river. Many ambulances could be seen in the area, but the mall area appeared empty of all but law enforcement. Police also took up positions on a bridge overlooking the river.
The Jacksonville Landing, in the heart of the city's downtown, hosts concerts and other entertainment, has a busy food court and a host of bars and restaurants. President Donald Trump held a rally there in October 2015 early in his campaign for the White House.
Stay with WBZ NewsRadio as this story develops.
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