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Jacksonville shooting: Gunman had history of mental health treatment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sunday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. there was a mass shooting in Jacksonville Florida according to the sheriff's office. This story will be constantly updated with the newest information at the top.

Update 3:45 p.m.: Court records obtained by The Associated Press show that a man accused of killing two people and then himself at a video gaming competition in Florida had been hospitalized for mental illness.

Divorce filings from the parents of 24-year-old David Katz of Baltimore say that as a teenager he was twice hospitalized in psychiatric facilities and that he was prescribed anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medications.

The records show Katz's parents disagreed deeply on how to care for their troubled son. Katz's father claimed his estranged wife was exaggerating symptoms of mental illness as part of the couple's long-running and acrimonious custody battle. They divorced in 2007.

Authorities say Katz killed two people and wounded nine others Sunday before fatally shooting himself at the "Madden NFL 19" tournament in Jacksonville.

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Update 1 p.m.: Dennis Alston, a New Jersey man known in the Madden competitive gaming circuit as "Evil Ken," told WJAX that he thought the man who opened fire during Sunday's Madden tournament in Jacksonville targeted players, but not necessarily those who beat him.

Alston told WJAX he tried to shake David Katz's hand after he beat the 24-year-old, but that Katz didn't respond.

"He just looked at me," Alston said. "He didn't say anything."

He said he and another player beat Katz and "we're both still here so, I felt like he was targeting but I don't think it was the people that beat him."

"I was actually one of the people that beat him..."<br/> <br/> GAMER and WITNESS talks about suspected <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheLandingMassShooting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheLandingMassShooting</a> shooter David Katz. Says he was acting 'weird' all weekend. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jacksonville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jacksonville</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JacksonvilleLanding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JacksonvilleLanding</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JacksonvilleLandingShooting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JacksonvilleLandingShooting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ActionNewsJax?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ActionNewsJax</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WOKVNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WOKVNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/7ZwqKbMzGM">pic.twitter.com/7ZwqKbMzGM</a>

Later, Alston said he saw Katz fire as many as 10 shots.

"(He) pointed my way," Alston told WJAX. "I had to to cover."

He described Katz as a "well-known competitor" but added that he appeared to be acting strangely Sunday.

"He had shades on," Alston told WJAX. "He didn't speak to anybody."

Authorities said three people, including Katz, were killed and 11 others injured in Sunday's attack.

Update 9 a.m.: Officials at Jacksonville's Memorial  Hospital have identified four people treated as a result of Sunday's shooting, WJAX reported.

Officials said David Echevarria, 28, was treated for minor injuries and released while three others remained hospitalized Monday in good condition.

George Amadeo II, 17, suffered unspecified injuries. Alexander Madunic, 27, was treated for a gunshot wound to his foot. Christoper McFarland, 31, was treated for a bullet graze to his head.

Two other people, identified by friends and family as Eli Clayton, 22, and Taylor Robertson, 27, were killed in Sunday's shooting.

Update 4 a.m.: Competitors Eli Clayton and Taylor Robertson were fatally shot Sunday during a Madden 19 competition, the victims families told WJAX.

STORY: What we know about the victims

While investigators have not released or confirmed the victims' identities, friends and family are sharing their condolences on social media.

RIP <a href="https://twitter.com/True__818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@True__818</a> Elijah Clayton. One of my best friends in life. I talked to u almost everyday for the last 5 years. U were one of the most kind and genuine people I've ever met. I love u like a brother. I'm gonna miss hearing you laugh everyday and seeing your genuine smile. <a href="https://t.co/Balk88T1ES">pic.twitter.com/Balk88T1ES</a>

Clayton competed under the name "Trueboy," and Robertson used the name "SpotMePlzz."

Updated: 9:00 p.m. Sunday: As the investigation continues, we are learning more about alleged shooter David Katz. While police would not give a specific motive, witnesses said he had been a participant in the Madden tournament and had been eliminated earlier.

Police did say he was from Baltimore, but they believe he drove down to Florida on Saturday and had been staying in the Jacksonville area.

RELATED: Who is David Katz, alleged Jacksonville mass shooter

7:30 p.m. The sheriff has identified the Jacksonville shooting suspect as 24-year-old David Katz of Baltimore.

During a news conference he also announced that three people total were killed, including the shooter. An additional 11 were treated for injuries at area hospitals and are in stable condition.

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5:30 p.m.: The deadly shooting happened at a Madden tournament in Jacksonville, and according to one participant who spoke to a reporter from our sister station, the shooter had been in the competition but was eliminated.

4:45 p.m.: At a news briefing just moments ago the Jacksonville sheriff confirmed that one suspect was dead and there are no other suspects. The sheriff said the scene is secure, but investigators will have Jacksonville Landing closed for some time as they collect evidence and speak to witnesses.

4:10 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is expected to provide an update at 4:30 p.m. That will be carried live on WPXI.com and the WPXI Facebook page.

3:50 p.m.: Sources tell our sister station in Jacksonville that a total of 11 people were injured and 4 were killed during the shooting at Jacksonville Landing.

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3:45 p.m.: U.S. Senator Marco Rubio says national investigators are working with local law enforcement in Jacksonville to determine what happened and assist this involved.

RELATED: Jacksonville shooting: Reaction to ‘mass shooting’

3:40 p.m.: The shooting took place at a Madden NFL championship tournament, according to the game's developer EA Sports. At this time it remains unclear if the shooter targeted the event or not.

"This is a horrible situation and our deepest sympathies go out to all involved," the company said on Twitter.

3:23 p.m.: Jacksonville Landing issued the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened at the incident and pray for everyone involved. The Jacksonville Landing is fully cooperating with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and all ongoing investigations."

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3:00 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has asked anyone who remains inside Jacksonville Landing to call 911 so officers can help get them out safely.

2:50 p.m.: According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office one suspect is dead at the scene.

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2:42 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has now tweeted that there are multiple fatalities.

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2:35 p.m. There are reports of a mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing complex in Florida.

The Jacksonville's Sheriff's Office tweeted saying the area is not safe at this time and is urging people to stay away.

This is a developing story. Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for breaking updates.

 

Cox Media Group

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