In the aftermath of the Jacksonville shooting at the Madden Championship Series southeast qualifier in Jacksonville, Florida last night, the biggest fighting game tournament in the world is planning to beef up its security.
Two people were killed by a lone gunman at the Madden Championship Series southeast qualifier on Aug. 26. The shooter shot himself shortly after. Two other victims remain in the hospital, with one in good condition and the other in serious condition, according to the UF Health Jacksonville hospital’s website.
In response, Evo has announced plans to install metal detectors for every day of the 2019 event. Metal detectors were only installed for some days of the competition previously.
Evo already hires undercover law enforcement at its massive event to keep people safe. The company, however, is now looking to be more proactive in the future to make sure something like Jacksonville doesn’t happen.
There’s reason for extra security beyond just what happened in Jacksonville. In March, the organization notified authorities of a mass shooting threat. The threat claimed a mass shooting would take place at Evo in 2018 and he looked forward to seeing people there.
Ultimately nothing happened, but the threat was made nearly a year after the infamous Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino mass shooting which took place at the resort on Oct. 1, 2017, the same venue where Evo was held. That shooting left 58 people dead and 851 injured.
