New Jersey Man Flies to Florida to Attack Fellow Gamer with Hammer Over Online Dispute
A shocking incident unfolded in Florida over the weekend when a New Jersey man, identified as Edward Kang, flew to the Sunshine State and attacked a fellow gamer with a hammer over an online dispute. The victim, Zachary Dinh, was left with severe head wounds but has since been released from the hospital.
According to Sheriff Bill Leeper of Nassau County, Fla., the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning when Mr. Kang arrived at Mr. Dinh’s home in Fernandina Beach. The two individuals had never met in person but knew each other from playing the online game ArcheAge.
Sheriff Leeper revealed that the altercation between Mr. Kang and Mr. Dinh originated from an online dispute, although the exact nature of their interactions remains unclear. The sheriff described the case as “weird” and stated that Mr. Kang had flown from New Jersey to Florida under the guise of visiting an old friend.
Mr. Kang, who was also injured during the attack, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and armed burglary. He is currently being held without bond at Nassau County Jail in Yulee, Fla. Despite the serious charges against him, Mr. Kang reportedly told his mother during a recorded phone call that he did not intend to kill Mr. Dinh.
The bizarre nature of the incident has left local law enforcement officials puzzled. Sheriff Leeper remarked during a news conference, “This is a weird one. Some things make you say, ‘Hmm.’ Some things, you just can’t make up. There are some things that make you say, ‘What in the world was he thinking?’ And there are some things that make you say, ‘You’re not going to believe this.’ This case makes you say all four of those.”
As the investigation into the attack continues, the gaming community is left reeling from the news of a virtual dispute escalating into real-world violence. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise from online interactions turning sour.
