‘Evil times we live in’: Pro gamers react to shooting at Madden tournament

E-SPORTS gamer Drini Gjoka was live tweeting his progress in the Madden tournament when his messages suddenly took a dark turn.

THE gaming community has expressed dismay and sadness in the wake of a deadly shooting at an e-sports tournament that left several players dead.

Multiple people were killed in a mass shooting at a video game tournament in the northern Florida city of Jacksonville early this morning after a disgruntled gamer reportedly opened fire after becoming angry when he was beaten in the game. Four people have died, including the gunman and eleven others were injured, according to early reports.

It comes as Melbourne prepares to host a major e-sports event this weekend at Rod Laver Arena. The Melbourne e-sports open is due to take place this Saturday and Sunday. The event, which is expecting to see 10,000 attendees each day, is being put by TEG Live and e-sports giants ESL.

In a Twitter post this morning, ESL said it was saddened by the shooting tragedy in Florida.

We are saddened by today’s tragedy in Jacksonville, Florida. There is no place for this sort of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to those affected by today’s events.

— ESL (@ESL) August 26, 2018

Players at the tournament were competing against each other, playing the popular American football game Madden NFL. The makers of the game, EA sports, condemned the violent incident.

“This is a horrible situation, and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved,” it said in a statement.

CompLexity Gaming, one of the gaming teams participating at the tournament, said its player Drini Gjoka was grazed on the hand during the shooting.

“We’re obviously shocked and saddened by this afternoon’s events. Our player, Drini, was hit in the thumb but is going to be fine. He managed to escape and run down the street to a nearby gym,” director Jason Lake told the media.

Mr Gjoka was live tweeting the event telling his followers he was happy to make it to the final 32 when his messages took a dark turn.

The tourney just got shot up. Im leavinng and never coming back

— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018

I am literally so lucky. The bullet hit my thumb

— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018

Worst day of my life

— Drini Gjoka (@YoungDrini) August 26, 2018

Pro gamer Ninja took to Twitter to share his condolences with those affected.

“My heart goes out to the family, friends and people affected by the madden shooting today. Evil times we live in, just need to out shine that evil with positivity,” he wrote.

Pro gamer dakotaz extended his condolences to those caught up in the shooting.

“It makes me sick,” he wrote.

My heart goes out to the family, friends and people affected by the madden shooting today. Evil times we live in, just need to out shine that evil with positivity.

Love you all

— Ninja (@Ninja) August 26, 2018

My heart and all of my thoughts goes out to everyone at that Madden Tournament..
Insane. makes me sick..

— dakotaz (@dakotaz) August 26, 2018

eSports is not just an “industry.” It’s community. It’s friends. It’s family. It’s belonging. It’s love. It’s support. It’s progress. It’s a collection of people from all different walks of life. The tragic events which occurred in Jacksonville today WILL NEVER change that. ❤️

— Alan Parker (@AlanJohnLondon) August 26, 2018

RIP Trueboy! One of the 4 victims in the Jacksonville Landing Madden Shooting. pic.twitter.com/j2iSXszFuc

— KEEM 🍿 (@KEEMSTAR) August 26, 2018

I watched a young man go through ups and downs. Not just Madden, but in his every day life. He really changed for the better and to see his life taken from him.... for what? Heartless individuals in this world. Love u True. May you rest in peace my brother. ♥️

— PROBLEM (@ProblemWright) August 26, 2018

Once again, the shooting has sparked debate about the country’s gun control laws.

Speaking to media outside of the Madden tournament, participant Marquis Williams lamented the inaction from politicians every time there is a major shooting in public.

“How long is it going to take for us to get guns off the street? How long is it going to take for us to deal with someone who may be mentally unstable when they could’ve got the help they deserve in the beginning?” he said.

“How many more friends do we have to see die to this?”

I never thought that choosing to write about video games would mean that I had to call a police department and say the words "can you confirm the reported number of causalities?" but that's where I am, and we are, right now.

— cmrn knzlmn (@ckunzelman) August 26, 2018

Survivors of the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February, expressed sorrow at news of another mass shooting in the state.

“Once again, my heart hurts and all of me is so angry. We cannot accept this as our reality,” Delaney Tarr, one of the organisers of the student-led March for Our Lives movement, tweeted.

Florida has suffered multiple shootings in recent years: 49 were killed in a June 2016 attack on a gay nightclub, while 17 were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School earlier this year.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said that the FBI and other authorities were investigating the latest shooting incident.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams addresses the media across the street from the scene of a multiple shooting at The Jacksonville Landing during a video game tournament. Picture: Will Dickey/The Florida Times-Union

Originally published as ‘Evil times we live in’: Pro gamers react to shooting at Madden tournament