A man has been apprehended on charges of attempted second-degree murder after allegedly using a hammer to attack another individual, according to police reports on Monday.
Edward Kang, aged 20, reportedly traveled from Newark, New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida to confront an unnamed individual following a dispute originating from the online fantasy video game ArcheAge, announced Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper at a press briefing.
“This case is quite unusual,” commented Leeper. “There are some aspects that truly make you wonder. Some things you simply can’t fabricate. And then there are those moments that leave you asking, ‘What was he thinking?’ This incident manages to evoke all of those reactions.”
Leeper detailed that Kang flew into Jacksonville International Airport from Newark Liberty International Airport and had been staying at the Ocean Coast Hotel in Fernandina Beach since Friday. Upon arriving in Florida, Kang reportedly purchased a hammer and flashlight from a local Ace Hardware store, with receipts found in his hotel room.
According to Leeper, Kang was able to enter the victim’s residence in Fernandina Beach because the front door was unlocked. Clad in all-black attire, gloves, and a mask, Kang allegedly attacked the victim, leading to a physical altercation on the ground, as described by the sheriff.
Deputies responded to a call from the victim’s stepfather, who reported being awakened by his stepson’s cries for help. Upon arrival, they discovered a significant amount of blood at the entryway of the residence and in the victim’s bedroom, Leeper stated.
Both Kang and the victim were transported to a nearby hospital. The victim sustained severe head injuries, which, fortunately, were deemed non-life-threatening. The victim has since been discharged, while Kang has been placed in the custody of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
Leeper mentioned that Kang allegedly informed a deputy that the victim is “a problematic person online” and inquired about potential jail time for charges including breaking and entering and assault.
“I would tell Mr. Kang that it will be quite some time before he gets back to playing video games,” remarked Leeper.
Kang has declined to cooperate with the investigation and remains detained at Nassau County Jail, according to Leeper. Jail records indicate that Kang faces charges of armed burglary in addition to attempted second-degree murder, both of which are felony offenses.
Leeper emphasized that this incident underscores the potential for online disputes to escalate into real-world violence, urging caution online, prompt reporting of suspicious behavior, and securing residences properly.