Two men were killed in Jacksonville, Florida at a competitive Madden tournament when a gunman opened fire. You’ll be hearing a lot in the next few days about David Katz, the 24-year-old who killed 2 people and injured 9 others before turning the gun on himself at the GLHF Game Bar in Jacksonville.
But this video is about his victims – the lives forever cut short because one individual’s act of anger and cowardice.
The victims have been identified as competitive gamers Taylor Robertson and Eli Clayton.
Robertson was 27 years old, a husband and father from Ballard, West Virginia. He’d been playing Madden since he was 10, though he’d only become a competitive gamer in recent years, with the gamer tag SPOTMEPLZZZ. In December 2016, he won the Madden NFL 17 Classic. EA Sports called Robertson one of the “toughest opponents in competitive Madden.” He’d earned about $80,000 over the course of his competitive career.
He was represented by Dot City Gaming, who tweeted out condolences the evening of his death. Madden YouTuber Eric Rayweather tweeted: “Spotme always said he went to these events to help further support his family. Always spoke about his wife & newborn and how he wanted the money to better their lives. I’m so angry right now.”
22-year-old Elijah Clayton was a competitive gamer from Woodland Hills, CA.
He went by the handle “trueboy” or just “true.” He played high school football at Calabasas High and got into competitive gaming in college. He was playing a game on camera when the shooting began.
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Shay Kivlen, a gamer who won the 2018 Madden Bowl, tweeted: “RIP Elijah Clayton. One of my best friends in life. I talked to u almost everyday for the last 5 years. U were one of the most kind and genuine people I’ve ever met. I love u like a brother. I’m gonna miss hearing you laugh everyday and seeing your genuine smile.”
Fellow gamer Dayne Downey tweeted: “Still remember what you told me after I received my awards and I will never forget it. One of the first Madden pros that ever reached out to me on here. God bless you and your loved ones. Life isn’t fair sometimes.”
Nine others sustained injuries in the attacks, though these do not appear to be life-threatening.
Timothy Anselimo, also known as oLarry and Larry Legend, was shot 3 times according to his mother. Surgery on his hand will determine if he can ever play video games again. He got a visit in the hospital from Florida governor Rick Scott.
Anselimo is a fan of rapper Pusha T, who reached out on Twitter: “My prayers go out to all the victims of the shooting at the Madden event in Jacksonville, we definitely aren’t gonna let this tragedy ruin our love for gaming. @oLARRY2K wishing u a speedy recovery, u sent good vibes my way a few days ago now it’s my turn to send them back.”
Former Madden Challenge champion Drini Gjoka was shot in the thumb, and detailed his experience on Twitter, and a bullet grazed the head of Chris “Dubby” McFarland, who said he was physically fine, but “traumatized and devastated.”
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Multiple GoFundMe pages, such as this one or this one, have been set up to support the victims.
Our thoughts are with the families of Taylor Robertson and Eli Clayton. And we wish the injured survivors speedy recoveries.
Let us know your thoughts on this latest public mass shooting in America. Follow us at @WhatsTrending for more.
