Tim Tebow, Dwyane Wade, other athletes react to deadly shooting at Madden tournament in Jacksonville
Athletes from the Florida area and across the country reacted to the deadly shooting at a Madden tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday afternoon that left two dead and wounded 12 others.
The alleged gunman, identified by Jacksonville police as gamer David Katz, died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Tim Tebow, a Florida legend who won the Heisman Trophy as a Gator, quickly responded to the tragedy.
“Praying for my city of Jacksonville,” he wrote on Twitter.
Praying for my city of Jacksonville!
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) August 26, 2018
The former Jets quarterback and current Mets minor leaguer moved to Jacksonville from the Phillipines when he was three years old.
The Jacksonville Jaguars released a statement from owner Shad Khan.
“It’s impossible to comprehend today’s news,” the statement read. “I’m heartbroken for the families and friends of the victims and can only express my deepest condolences as we try to understand why and how this can happen, not only here, but anywhere.”
Statement from our owner Shad Khan: pic.twitter.com/06dDq1uFaz
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 26, 2018
Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns also offered prayers and questioned lax gun laws in America.
“Praying for everyone involved in the shooting at the Madden tournament in Jacksonville. I can’t believe we have to keep living with tragic violence like this with presumably no solution in sight,” he wrote on Twitter.
Praying for everyone involved in the shooting at the Madden tournament in Jacksonville 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I can’t believe we have to keep living with tragic violence like this with presumably no solution in sight.
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 26, 2018
Dwyane Wade, who lives in Miami, paid respects to the victims, as did Isaiah Thomas.
It’s so sad hearing about what happened in Jacksonville 🤦🏾♂️. My family thoughts and prayers are with all the love ones!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2018
The alleged shooter was photographed holding up a Buffalo Bills jersey in 2017 after winning the Madden 17 Bills Championship, and the picture was tweeted out by the Bills’ main account at the time.
The team had not commented on the shooting as of late Sunday night.
President Donald Trump also was notably silent on the shooting, though he did take time to tweet about his approval ratings.