The 7th Seed

The world of Esports (“Electronic Sports”) has become one of the fastest growing communities of our lifetime. Professional video game tournaments clock in over 500 million views from the biggest competitions on streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. But what happens when something goes wrong at one of these events and the whole world is watching, live? No one could have anticipated the horrors that would unfold mid-day, at an unsuspecting video game bar in Jacksonville, Florida. Yet, in a world that demands instant internet gratification, fastest upload speeds, and 4K game play... perhaps we should be careful what we wish for. We often overlook the isolated environment in which gamers subject themselves to. It’s easy to miss very real mental-health warning signs when enthralled and caught up in the realm “virtual reality.” When we fail to recognize these signals, how do the repercussions of one man’s actions affect our safety? When gunshots rang out over the livestream on August 26, 2018 - broadcasting live to hundreds of viewers during a professional Madden tournament, everyone ran for their lives. This is a deep dive into the mind of one desperate gamer, lost in his delusions. David Katz was willing to do anything it took to prove he was the best- even if that meant taking the lives of innocent people to get there. Written by Michael Dunphy Jr., Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. Special thanks to Marquis Williams & Taylor Poindexter. Visit Invisible Choir on the web: Patreon - Invisible Choir Premium: https://www.patreon.com/InvisibleChoir Website: https://www.invisiblechoir.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InvisibleChoirPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblechoir/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/InvisibleChoir Written/Audio Sources: Buffalo Bills Tweet Congratulating Katz on Tournament Win Madden Shooter Identified As " David Katz " 24-Year-Old Gamer Katz Interview "He is Not Here to Make Friends" Jacksonville Mass Shooter David Katz "Bread" - EA Sports Interview Madden 2017 EA Sports Commentary Last Play: David Katz in Madden 17 Championship Final Jacksonville.com 911 Call Audio FirstCoastNews.com: 911 calls from the Jacksonville Landing Jacksonville Police make statement regarding mass shooting this weekend Shooting at Madden 19 video game tournament in Jacksonville leaves two dead Global News: 'He was weird all weekend': Madden competitor says he beat suspected Jacksonville shooter in match ABC News: Esports tournament announcer speaks out after deadly shooting Madden NFL Shooting Suspect Identified As David Katz, Got Upset After Losing Tournament Daily Mail: Eli 'Trueboy' Clayton's family speaks after his death in Jacksonville shooting Chicago area couple survives Jacksonville shooting at gaming tournament ABC 7 Chicago: Chicago area gamers describe escape from shooting at Jacksonville video game tournament WGN: Jacksonville shooting survivors Taylor Poindexter and Marquis Williams open up about their experience WBALTV.com: Marquis Williams "Wake Up" 3 dead, including gunman, after shooting at Florida video game tournament CNN: Jacksonville shooter had history of mental illness and police visits to family home; Guns & How They Were Legally Obtained USA Today: Bizarre behavior online playing Madden; Jacksonville shooting: Suspect had strange online persona, mental health issues APNewsBreak: Detailed Source of Parent's Relationship, Parents Disagreements in David Katz' Treatment: Mental Health: Shooting suspect had history of mental illness ESPN: Mental health issues in Esports remain silent but very real threat to players ESPN: The Madden tournament shooting in Jacksonville -- an inside look at what happened Associated Press: Shooting suspect was able to buy guns despite mental illness USA Today: David Katz: Jacksonville killer legally armed himself in Maryland EA SPORTS Jacksonville Tribute Livestream New York Post: Shay Kivlen: I might have been target of Madden tournament shooter 286.011 FLA "Sunshine Law" Statutes & Constitution Daytona Beach News Journal: Did grudge push gunman in Jacksonville Landing mass shooting? Buzzfeed.com: This Is What We Know About The Victims Shot And Killed At A Florida Video Game Tournament Katz Police Records Warning: Graphic Content: David Katz: Official Jacksonville PD Investigation Files MayoClinic.org: Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) - Symptoms and causes Mayo Clinic: Risperidone: Side Effects Wikipedia: Esports Wikipedia: Madden NFL Wikipedia: Steve Tasker Wikipedia: Barclays Center Wikipedia: Jacksonville Landing shooting Music & Sound Effect Sources Opening Track: “Redress” by Lincoln Davis Closing Track: “Intuition” by Lincoln Davis Music & Sound Effect Sources All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®. Individual sources are available via request at info@invisiblechoir.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices