A New Jersey man faces attempted murder charges after reportedly flying to Florida and hitting a fellow gamer with a hammer over an online quarrel, according to authorities.
The two had never met in person before the suspect went up at the victim’s home in Fernandina Beach over the weekend, “apparently to confront the victim,” Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said during a press conference on Monday announcing the charges.
Related posts
Leeper described the case as “a weird one,” suggesting that the event began as an “online altercation.”
According to Leeper, the suspect, Edward Kang, 20, allegedly broke into the victim’s home through an unlocked door and attacked him with a hammer after the victim got up from gaming to use the restroom late Saturday or early Sunday.
The victim, who is thought to be approximately Kang’s age, was able to wrestle his attacker to the ground, Leeper said. He and his stepfather, who had been awoken by screams for help, were able to disarm and contain the suspect until deputies came, Leeper said.
“Upon arrival, they discovered a significant amount of blood in the entryway of the home and the victim’s bedroom,” Leeper told the media.
According to the sheriff, the man had “severe” head wounds during the assault. The sufferer has now been released from the hospital, he stated.
Kang was brought into the Nassau County Jail on Sunday and charged with attempted second-degree murder and armed burglary. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney.
According to Leeper, the investigation is ongoing, and charges may be increased.
When probed about the motive for the assault, Kang allegedly told deputies that the victim is a “bad person online,” Leeper said. According to Leeper, he also allegedly inquired about the length of your jail sentence for breaking, entering, and assault.
“I would say, Mr. Kang, it will be a long time before you play video games,” Leeper quipped.
The victim and suspect allegedly met through the online video game ArcheAge, according to Leeper. The Korean massively multiplayer online role-playing game will no longer be available in the United States on Thursday, its publisher announced in April, citing a “declining number of active players.”
According to Leeper, Kang told his family that he was going to meet a friend he met years ago through an online video game. He flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, and checked into a motel near the victim’s home early Friday morning, according to Leeper. He allegedly bought a hammer and a flashlight at a hardware store after arriving in Florida, and receipts were discovered in his hotel room, according to Leeper.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential real-world consequences of online interaction,” Leeper told reporters. Leeper urged the public to exercise caution, report any suspicious online behavior to the authorities, and always ensure the security of their homes.
