Click here to watch Full Video
According to reports, Katz killed himself and two others, later identified as Taylor Robertson, a 27-year-old from Ballard, West Virginia, and Eli Clayton, a 22-year-old from Woodland Hills, California. Robertson, who was married and had a young son, had achieved significant success in previous Madden NFL tournaments, winning 72 percent of his 18 matches, according to EA Sports. Clayton was also recognized as a rising star within the Madden community.
In addition to the fatalities, the shooting left 11 people injured. Nine individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were in stable condition after being taken to hospitals, while two others were injured during the chaos as people rushed to flee the scene.
The tournament was being live-streamed online, allowing viewers to watch the games and see the players in action. Shockingly, the live stream captured the chilling moment when a laser pointer appeared to land on a player's chest just before the first shots were fired.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Mike Williams, reported that Katz carried out the attack using at least one handgun. After the shooting, he turned the gun on himself, resulting in his own death. Authorities were in the process of confirming Katz's identity, with assistance from the FBI in Baltimore.
The shooting prompted immediate warnings from law enforcement through social media channels, urging people to stay away from the area and asking anyone hiding to contact emergency services. As a precaution, a three-block radius around the Jacksonville Landing complex was barricaded, and law enforcement officers, including Coast Guard boats, patrolled the nearby river.
Emergency medical services were present at the scene, and ambulances transported the injured to hospitals for treatment. The area surrounding the shopping center appeared vacant, with law enforcement personnel securing the area. Additionally, heavily armed agents, some wearing bulletproof vests and carrying long guns, were seen entering a townhome complex near Baltimore's Inner Harbour, reportedly associated with Katz's father.
The FBI confirmed that its agents had visited the residence of Katz's father, while the Baltimore Police Department stated that it was providing assistance based on information that led authorities to Baltimore.
The incident gained national attention, and the White House announced that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the attack. It also sparked discussions on various topics, including event security, gun control, and mental health.
The Jacksonville Landing complex, where the shooting occurred, is a popular entertainment venue hosting concerts and other events. It had also served as the site for a rally held by Donald Trump during his 2015 presidential campaign.
