A 20-year-old man is accused flying across the country and trying to murder someone with whom he had an online gaming dispute in a hammer attack.
Edward Kang, 20, flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, to confront someone he had an online dispute with, Nassau County, New Jersey, Sheriff Bill Leeper said. Court records show he was charged Monday with second-degree attempted murder and attempted burglary.
"I just want to let you know this is a weird one. ... Some things you just can't make up," Leeper said. "There's some things that make you say, 'What in the world was he thinking?'"
The victim, who was not publicly identified, told authorities he took a break from playing video games when he saw Kang standing with a hammer above his head in a “strike position.” His stepfather woke up to the sounds of screams for help and found his stepson on the ground struggling with Kang above him, authorities said.
"The victim and the stepfather managed to disarm Kang and restrain him until our deputies arrived on scene," Leeper said.
Deputies responded to a 911 call around 2 a.m. Sunday and found a "significant amount of blood" in the home's entryway and the victim's bedroom, Leeper said.
Court records do not list an attorney for Kang. Leeper said he is not cooperating with the investigation.
A preliminary investigation indicates Kang knew the victim only online, having met him playing a fantasy video game called ArcheAge. According to the game's website, it is shutting down its North America and European servers this week because of a declining number of users.
Leeper did not detail the substance of the dispute with the victim, who Leeper said is "around the same age" as Kang.
Investigators say Kang told his family he was flying to visit a friend he met years ago. Leeper said they were able to determine that he took an Uber ride from the Jacksonville airport to a hotel in Fernandina Beach on Friday.
Kang bought a hammer and flashlight at an Ace Hardware store upon his arrival in Jacksonville, Leeper said, citing receipts found by investigators.
Kang is believed to have entered the victim's home through an unlocked door, authorities said. He wore all black, gloves and a mask, Leeper said.
The victim was treated for severe but non-life-threatening head wounds, Leeper said.
"When the suspect was asked why he did what he did, the suspect stated, 'He's a bad person online,'" Leeper said. "Talking about the victim."
Kang is also alleged to have asked deputies how much time a person would get in jail for breaking and entering and assault.
"I would say, Mr. Kang, it's going to be a long time before you play video games again," Leeper said.