Sheriff Mike Williams provided additional details hours after a gunman opened fire at a Jacksonville, Florida, mall on Sunday. The incident occurred during a video gaming tournament.
According to a news update that evening, he said the gunman, who reportedly killed himself after shooting multiple individuals, had been identified pending final confirmation from the FBI.
Williams said he is believed to be 24-year-old David Katz, a gamer whose name had circulated online as the gunman prior to the official update from law enforcement.
Reports indicate he was known by his handle, “Bread,” in the gaming community.
Williams said the shooter is believed to have used a handgun, noting that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
will provide confirmation. He did not elaborate on a possible motive for the shooting.
The sheriff did offer some additional information about the victims.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities had warned against accepting initial media reports at face value.
There are inaccurate numbers being distributed by local and national media. This is fluid and as soon as we have confirmed numbers they will be released. Please remember this Twitter @JSOPIO is the only official source of information. https://t.co/qBJvkaO7xT
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) August 26, 2018
He said three victims — including the suspected shooter — were found dead at the scene.
Nine other victims were transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of injury. Seven had been shot, Williams said.
Two additional gunshot victims drove themselves to the hospital.
Williams said the casualty count could rise as additional victims are identified, urging anyone who was hurt in the shooting to contact authorities if they had not already.
BREAKING: Law enforcement official just told us they have found the car belonging to the suspect in the mass shooting in Jacksonville and they are approaching it with caution in case there are explosives. A bomb detecting robot has been brought in.
— Amanda Ober (@AmandaOberWESH) August 26, 2018
Authorities also impounded the suspect’s vehicle, according to the sheriff’s statement. The Baltimore, Maryland, resident is believed to have arrived in Jacksonville on Saturday and spent the night in an area hotel.
[Featured image: David Katz, video screenshot]
