Two people were killed and 11 were injured after a mass shooting at a Madden 19 gaming tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday. Now, the Madden gaming community is left to mourn two players who were victims of a fellow gamer’s fire.
Across social media, people in the gaming community are sharing their tributes to Taylor Robertson and Eli Clayton, two players who were competing in the tournament.
Clayton, 22, was from Woodland Hills, California, and went by Trueboy and True. His EA Sports profile says he was “consistently one of the best in competitive ‘Madden,'” having won a total of $51,000 at live event competitions.
Right before the shooting took place, Clayton was seen on a livestream playing in the tournament before the camera cut out, and the video was disconnected, leaving streamers to listen to the audio of the shooting. Clayton was smiling.
I'm an actor now guys. pic.twitter.com/oB7tHcg5pd
— True (@True__818) June 12, 2018
Robertson, 27, was from Ballard, West Virginia, and was a husband and father. Known as SpotMePlzzz, he had won last season’s Madden Classic and won $80,500 total at live event competitions.
https://twitter.com/spotmeplzzz/status/962010784577437696
Doubt I will ever go back 2 to Madden 18, but if for whatever reason I ever do, you'll be on my sidelines. #RIPTRUE pic.twitter.com/FShYTnDZYp
— Sensei Noof (@MrGoldenSports) August 26, 2018
The shooter, 24-year-old David Katz, killed himself after opening fire on the tournament. He had gone by gamer tags Bread and RavensChamp, and had won the Madden 17 Bills Club Championship in Buffalo, New York, last year.
On Twitter, people in the gaming community are remembering their peers and mourning their deaths, some writing that the men died while doing what they loved.
https://twitter.com/Moonlightswami/status/1033822672029999110
RIP @True__818 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. pic.twitter.com/Balk88T1ES
— Kiv (@young_kiv) August 26, 2018
My heart is shattered today… I dont think I have ever prayed and cried so much in my life. We lost some amazing souls today. May God bless their families and be with them. If anyone needs anything please feel free to reach out. I love yall!
— Country (@Countrygrl8793) August 26, 2018
You guys will ALWAYS be in our hearts, and remembered in our community. <3
— Sensei Noof (@MrGoldenSports) August 27, 2018
Rest In Peace you 2. pic.twitter.com/QShfKqSvl0
Crying and in so much pain. Prayers to the families of Trueboy and Spotme. All over a videogame. Two of our brothers are gone man and its so disturbing. One of the most tragic days ive experienced. This community is like family. Broken.
— PROBLEM (@ProblemWright) August 26, 2018
In a statement on the Madden 19 website, EA Sports wrote that it “strongly condemn[s]” the Jacksonville shooting, and that it thanks first responders for arriving at the scene quickly.
“The tragic situation that occurred Sunday in Jacksonville was a senseless act of violence that we strongly condemn. Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the victims whose lives were taken today and those who were injured,” the statement read. “All of us at Electronic Arts are devastated by this horrific event, and we also join the community in thanking the first responders who were quickly on the scene. Our focus right now is on those affected, and supporting law enforcement as they continue their investigation into this crime.”