Taylor “SpotmePlzzz” Robertson, 28, and Elijah “Trueboy” Clayton, 22, have been named as the two people killed Sunday by a gunman at a “Madden NFL 19” qualifying tournament in Jacksonville.
A gamer at a “Madden NFL 19” qualifying tournament in Jacksonville killed two people in a mass shooting Sunday, and authorities said the gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Eleven others were injured, nine due to gunshot wounds.
1 Related
In the statement, Wilson called the two men who were fatally shot — Taylor “SpotmePlzzz” Robertson, 28, and Elijah “Trueboy” Clayton, 22 — “two of our top Madden competitors.”
“They were respected, positive and skilled competitors, the epitome of the players and personalities at the heart of our community,” Wilson said in the statement. “Their love of competition was evident through their participation in our events over the past few years. We are committed to supporting Taylor and Elijah’s families through this difficult time, and we send our deepest sympathies to their loved ones, to those injured yesterday, and everyone affected.”
Clayton was engaged in a game in the tournament when shots were fired and caught in a video that has gone viral. His family spoke to reporters earlier Monday.
“As you can imagine, we are devastated by yet another senseless act of gun violence,” Clayton’s cousin, Brandi Pettijohn, said while reading a statement. “Every person who has stood in this position has said that they never thought this would happen to their family, and we are no different.
“My cousin has to bury her first-born, and it is just as terrible as that sounds. Our family has been forever changed. Nothing will replace the love that we have for Elijah. There is a hole that will never be filled.”
Court records obtained by The Associated Press show that David Katz, the man accused of killing Robertson, Clayton and then himself, had been hospitalized for mental illness.
Divorce filings from the parents of the 24-year-old say that as a teenager he was twice hospitalized in psychiatric facilities and that he was prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medications.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams has declined to comment on why Katz opened fire inside a gaming bar connected to a pizzeria at The Jacksonville Landing, a collection of restaurants and shops along the St. Johns River. Williams said he used at least one handgun in the attack.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Powered by WPeMatico