JACKSONVILLE, FL – A dispute between gamers escalated beyond the digital realm when a 20-year-old man from New Jersey was accused of flying to Florida to attack another player with a hammer. The assailant, identified as Edward Kang, has been charged with attempted murder and armed burglary following the violent altercation.

The incident occurred after Kang and the near-victim, who had previously only interacted online, got into an argument while playing video games. According to authorities, Kang booked a flight from Newark to Jacksonville with the alleged intent to harm the other individual.

In the early hours, deputies from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence where they discovered a significant amount of blood evidence. The victim’s stepfather recounted being woken by his stepson’s cries for help, finding him lying over an unknown individual—later identified as Kang—armed with a hammer.

At the hospital, the victim recounted being struck on the head upon opening his door, leading to a struggle that ended when he and his stepfather managed to subdue Kang until law enforcement arrived.

Investigators found that Kang had purchased the hammer in Jacksonville, and his mother confirmed that he had left their home under the pretense of vacationing with an online friend. Kang, currently detained without bond, is scheduled for a further court hearing.

During a press briefing, Sheriff Bill Leeper pointed out the surreal nature of the crime and noted that the two knew each other from playing the MMORPG ArcheAge. Leeper expressed disbelief at the bizarre and unprecedented circumstances that led to the attack. Kang now faces severe legal repercussions that will likely put a considerable hold on any future gaming endeavors.