New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to 2024 Violent Attack over Videogame

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces Edward Kang pleaded guilty to Armed Burglary with Assault or Battery for a 2024 violent attack on a Florida man. Per the negotiated plea, the Honorable Meredith Charbula sentenced Kang to four years in Florida State Prison followed by 10 years of probation with special conditions.

On June 20, 2024, Kang left his New Jersey home and took a flight to Jacksonville to attack the victim in his home. The victim and Kang have never met in person and have only interacted through an online chat on a videogame. Kang booked a hotel in Nassau County, and on June 23, Kang broke into the victim’s home in the middle of the night armed with a hammer. The victim, who was awake playing an online game, went to use the bathroom and was confronted by Kang, who attacked him with a hammer. The victim fought back and the victim’s stepfather woke up and helped hold down Kang until police arrived. Kang told the victim’s stepfather that the victim was a “bad person online”. The victim was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

The case was investigated by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Karl Green.