Witnesses report several people wounded at a restaurant hosting a Madden Video Game Tournament.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have confirmed there are several fatalities.
Journalist Vic Micolucci of WJXT said on Twitter: “Madden Tournament. All hands on deck. Patients to multiple hospitals. 15 total victims. 4 dead. Per my sources.”
The gunman is dead at the scene, but the Sheriff’s office are not sure if there is a second suspect still at large.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted: “Mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing. Stay far away from the area.
“The area is not safe at this time. STAY AWAY”
A video recording of a live stream and members of the video gaming community on social media claim the gunman opened fire during a Madden NFL video game tournament.
The footage shows the gameplay disrupted by the sound of gunfire and screams before the stream is stopped entirely.
The Sheriff’s Office at the scene said: “We can’t stress enough to stay away. Many blocks away. Yes, this includes media. It is for safety.”
Professional gaming team CompLexity Gaming, said one of their gamers had been injured in the shooting.
They Tweeted: “An update from the Jacksonville Madden event.
“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.”
Gamer Drini Gjoka later Tweeted: “I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb. Worst day of my life.”
Local news outlet News4Jax said several ambulances, as well as firefighters and police officers, were on the scene, and that roads were being blocked off in the downtown area.
Federal law enforcement officials are monitoring the situation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is at the scene, CNN reports.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted: “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.”
Jacksonville Landing is a waterfront dining, entertainment and shopping site in downtown Jacksonville.
A witness said a victim with a gunshot wound ran into a nearby restaurant moments after the shooting.
Malik Brunson told CNN: “I was in Hooters, all I heard was he got a gun and the shooting started.
“One of the men ran into hooters with the shot wounds — they locked us in the restaurant.”
Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, tweeted about the mass shooting.
He said: “I’ve spoken to Jax Sheriff’s Office Mike Williams to offer any state resources he may need.
“FDLE 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.”
EA Sports tweeted: “We are aware of an incident at a sanctioned Madden Championship Series competition in Jacksonville.”
This is a developing story, more to follow…