By now, you’ve probably heard of the unfortunate shooting that occurred during a Madden tournament in Jacksonville, Florida on the weekend. The shooter, identified as David Katz, killed two players Elijah “Trueboy” Clayton and Taylor “SpotmePlzzz” Robertson and injured 10 more before taking his own life.
In the wake of that unspeakable tragedy, EA said it was “horrified” by the event.
— Electronic Arts (@EA) August 27, 2018
Now, EA CEO Andrew Wilson has released a longer statement expressing his shock and grief.
“First and foremost, it is an unthinkable tragedy that Taylor Robertson and Elijah Clayton, two of our top Madden competitors, lost their lives in this way,” Wilson said. “They were respected, positive and skilled competitors, the epitome of the players and personalities at the heart of our community. 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.”
Wilson has also said that EA will cancelled the remaining Madden Classic qualifiers.
“The event was a qualifying tournament for the Madden Classic, our first Madden EA Major competition of this season. While these qualifying events are operated independently by partners, we work with them to ensure competitive integrity and to gather feedback from players. We have made a decision to cancel our three remaining Madden Classic qualifier events while we run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators. We will work with our partners and our internal teams to establish a consistent level of security at all of our competitive gaming events.”
As is usual after tragedies of this nature, fingers get pointed and blame gets shifted, but there’s been little said about America’s persistent gun problem. Katz obtained the firearms he used in the shooting legally, despite having been hospitalised twice for mental health issues
Last Updated: August 28, 2018
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2018 at 10:41
“despite having been hospitalised twice for mental health issues” – THAT is a huge problem in the US. Someone with a mental health history should NOT be allowed to have a firearm without proper screening!
Pariah
August 28, 2018 at 11:07
Not even screening. Just shouldn’t be allowed to own one. I’ve seen perfectly fine people with a mental health issue, who function normally and would easily pass screening, suddenly have a psychotic break, or something happens and they hit a major episode of some kind. THAT is when you need to worry, not when they’re going about their day to day lives. Screening doesn’t check that. And even if they’re not the kind to go killing others, suicide is a real thing and affects everyone who loves that person. Murder suicide is also common, too much so.
So no. Mental health problem? No gun. No questions.
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2018 at 11:32
I tend to mostly agree with you, but there are different mental health issues that might not be a risk to self or others. However, rather be safe than sorry? In the US it will also need to be a balancing act if they are to properly implement such things. I am a gun owner, and I am all for stricter gun control to keep guns out of the hands of those who are not fit. And in the US, the impressions are at least that it is too easy for people to get guns 🙁
Pariah
August 28, 2018 at 11:41
Well that’s why I added suicide there. Because there are some issues that aren’t a danger to others, but if you’re in charge of regulating firearms, surely ALL people’s safety should be a concern? That’s where I’m coming from. In the US it is tough because there are so many people who cry about regulations, because the NRA like to spread misinformation about them, creating panic amongst gun owners. It’s something the US government really have to deal with, but we all know the sad politics in play there.
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2018 at 11:43
Yeah, they need to sort it out ASAP. At least one thing Trump has right regarding mental health and guns: “Take the guns first. Go through due process second,” President Trump says at a meeting with bipartisan lawmakers. “I like taking the guns early.”
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2018 at 11:39
I see in this case it is specifically mentioned “as a teenager he was twice hospitalized in psychiatric facilities and that he was prescribed anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medications”.
anti-psychotic – This should have been a disqualifying factor IMMEDIATELY!
Kromas
August 28, 2018 at 10:41
Yep they blamed games. You think it would be hard when the game in this situation is a sports game but yeah ….. fox is good.
Magoo
August 28, 2018 at 11:56
I’ve heard so many people say “Stop blaming games!” but not a single source that actually blames the games. :S
For the Emperor!
August 28, 2018 at 12:01
I did see something about an “online activist” talking about how this highlights “toxic masculinity” in games or something like that. Also, he talks about white extremism in games. But that is just one that I know of, and the guy is clearly a freekin tool if you look at his Twitter feed. The “game condemnation” has not been as vocal this time around, probably since it was a sports game.
Pariah
August 28, 2018 at 12:01
I think it’s still PTSD from the 2000-2010 period where every politician in the US liked to blame games.
Kromas
August 28, 2018 at 12:40
Try googling it. Fox blamed gaming in the news yesterday. Gamers isolate themselves and become increasingly violent is what they said. also as a side note there was another interview you can also see on youtube where they said something about gaming and 13 year olds being tracked …. it had nothing at all to do with the shooting but they tried to make it about that.
Magoo
August 28, 2018 at 13:59
To my surprise I can’t even find a source after 10 mins research. Didn’t find that article on Fox either, but did find one that clearly blamed gun law. And I’m not about to go search 20k videos on youtube for the 1 that blames video games.
HvR
August 28, 2018 at 15:46
There is little being said about gun laws because he is a Baltimore resident.
Maryland has the 6th strictest gun laws in the US, rated “A class” by the Grifford center. It has for a long time been held up as an example by the Dems and “liberal” media as an example of how gun control works.
With this the 2nd mass killing with a Maryland issued firearm in 2 months sort of blows the argument out of the water. So it does not fit their narrative. Just like in South Africa strong gun regulations only polices lawabiding citizens and does nothing (in fact hampers) the stopping of crazies and criminals.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
August 28, 2018 at 13:57
With due respect and condolences to the victims and the bereaved, EA is only sad because they lost two paying customers.
HvR
August 28, 2018 at 15:46
There is little being said about gun laws because he is a Baltimore resident.
Maryland has the 6th strictest gun laws in the US, rated “A class” by the Grifford center. It has for a long time been held up as an example by the Dems and “liberal” media as an example of how gun control works.
With this the 2nd mass killing with a Maryland issued firearm in 2 months sort of blows the argument out of the water. So it does not fit their narrative. Just like in South Africa strong gun regulations only polices lawabiding citizens and does nothing (in fact hampers) the stopping of crazies and criminals.
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
August 29, 2018 at 10:01
This is America …
Who is America …