EA cancels remaining Madden NFL 19 qualifier events following mass shooting
Following the Jacksonville shooting, EA has cancelled the remaining Madden NFL 19 Classic qualifier events.
In the wake of Sunday's shooting at a Madden NFL 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has released a statement confirming that the remaining qualfier events will be cancelled while the company runs "a comprehensive review of safety protocols" for viewers and participants at events of this nature going forward.
"While these qualifying events are operated independently by partners, we work with them to ensure competitive integrity and to gather feedback from players. We have made a decision to cancel our three remaining Madden Classic qualifier events while we run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators. We will work with our partners and our internal teams to establish a consistent level of security at all of our competitive gaming events."
Sunday's tournament was held at the GLHF Game Bar inside Chicago Pizza in downtown Jacksonville. The shooter took his own life after opening fire, injuring 11 people and killing two other competitors.
Wilson addressed the loss of Taylor Robertson and Elijah Clayton, calling it an "unthinkable tragedy" that the two young men lost their lives this weekend.
"First and foremost, it is an unthinkable tragedy that Taylor Robertson and Elijah Clayton, two of our top Madden competitors, lost their lives in this way. They were respected, positive and skilled competitors, the epitome of the players and personalities at the heart of our community.
"Their love of competition was evident through their participation in our events over the past few years. We are committed to supporting Taylor and Elijah’s families through this difficult time, and we send our deepest sympathies to their loved ones, to those injured yesterday, and everyone affected."
Polygon reports that the shooter's two handguns were purchased illegally, according to Sheriff Mike Williams of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and that the 24 year-old had been hospitalised twice during his teens for mental illness.