FERNANDINA BEACH, FL – A 20-year-old man from New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly flying to Florida to assault a fellow gamer with a hammer, following a heated online dispute in the virtual world of ArcheAge, authorities reported.
Edward Kang faces an attempted second-degree murder charge after the incident early Sunday in Fernandina Beach, which left the victim with severe but non-life-threatening head injuries, according to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper.
“This is one of those cases that makes you scratch your head,” Leeper remarked during a press conference. “Some situations are just baffling, and this is certainly one of them.”
Kang and the victim had never met in person but had interacted through ArcheAge, a fantasy-based, massively multiplayer online game. Leeper described it as a platform where players engage in an immersive virtual world, similar to World of Warcraft.
Deputies were called to a Fernandina Beach home early Sunday in response to a physical altercation. Upon arrival, they found a significant amount of blood in the entryway and the victim’s bedroom. The victim’s stepfather reported being awoken by screams for help and discovered his stepson struggling with Kang.
Kang, dressed in black clothing, gloves, and a mask, reportedly entered the unlocked home and waited in a hallway to ambush the victim during a late-night gaming session. Investigators found that Kang had flown from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, days earlier. He purchased a hammer and flashlight at a local hardware store, with receipts found in his hotel room.
When questioned by deputies, Kang admitted his actions stemmed from animosity towards the victim. He inquired about the potential jail time for breaking and entering and assault, to which Leeper responded, “It’s going to be a long time before you play video games again.”