New Jersey man flies to Florida to attack another player over an online gaming dispute, deputies say

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — An online gaming dispute spilled into the real world when a New Jersey man flew to Florida to attack another player with a hammer, authorities said.

Edward Kang, 20, is charged with attempted murder and armed burglary wearing a mask, according to Nassau County court records. He was arrested early Sunday morning.

“I just want you to know that this is a strange situation,” Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said during a speech. news conference on Monday. “Some things you just can’t make up.”

Kang and the victim, another young man about Kang’s age, had never met in real life, but they both played ArcheAge, a medieval fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Leeper said. The publisher of the game announced in April that it would close servers in Europe and North America on June 27, citing a declining number of active players.

Kang flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, last Thursday after telling his mother he was going to visit a friend he met while playing a video game, officials said. Officials did not say how Kang found out where the victim lives. Upon arrival, Kang took an Uber to a hotel in Fernandina Beach, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Jacksonville, and then bought a hammer at a local hardware store, officers said.

Kang went to the victim’s Fernandina Beach home around 2 a.m. Sunday, which was unlocked, authorities said. The victim was walking out of his bedroom when he was confronted by Kang, who hit him in the head with the hammer, officials said. The two struggled when the victim called for help. His stepfather responded and helped restrain Kang until police arrived.

The victim had multiple head wounds that were not considered life-threatening, officials said. He received stitches at the hospital.

Once in custody, Kang told investigators that the victim is a “bad person” online, officials said. He also asked officers how many prison sentences people received for burglary and assault.

“I would say, Mr. Kang, it will be a long time before you play video games again,” Leeper said.

Online court records do not list an attorney for Kang. He was held without bond.