The FBI has raided the home of the 24-year-old
Gamer David Katz shot dead two people before killing himself, officials say.
24-year-old gamer David Katz shot himself before police arrived. 11 other people were injured, nine with gunshot wounds and two in the process of fleeing the scene. All are in a stable condition.
The shooting took place at a gaming bar in the Chicago Pizza of Jacksonville Landing, Florida where a Madden tournament was being live streamed on Twitch.
Footage of the event shows the red dot of a laser sight appear on the torso of one of the gamers before around a dozen gunshots are heard. Police say Katz used a hand gun in the attack and the FBI have raided the man’s family home in Baltimore, Maryland, in an effort to finally confirm his identity.
Unconfirmed local reports say that Katz became angry after being knocked out of the tournament, which was a regional qualifier for the latest Madden game – Madden NFL 19, but authorities say the killer’s motive is still unclear. Winners of the contest would go onto Las Vegas to compete for a prize pot of £129,000.
People gathered around to find out is their family members are inside @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/a10kIKSPyi
— Bridgette Matter (@Bmatternews) August 26, 2018
Commentators at a previous gaming event described Katz [playing as ‘Bread’]: “You are not going to see much emotion from our guy ‘Bread.’
“David Katz is a man of business, he keeps to himself. He’s not here for the experience, he’s not here to make friends. He’s all business.
“Even getting him to open about anything is like pulling teeth man.”
David Katz won a similar event last February.
https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/836003181826027521
Authorities say Katz had stayed in a hotel the night before the event, after travelling down from Baltimore.
19-year-old Drini Gjoka was taking part in the tournament. He tweeted: “The tourney just got shot up. I’m leaving and never coming back.
“I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb.”
https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleLanding/posts/10156640966651952:0
The makers of Madden, EA Sports said they were aware of the incident, releasing the following statement: “This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved.”
The tournament was taking place at the GLHF Game Bar of a Chicago Pizza. GLHF have confirmed that all of their staff are safe.
