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Ex-SoCal Football Player ID'd as Jacksonville Victim


One of two victims killed in a shooting at a video game competition Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida was remembered as a kind-hearted student and athlete who made a lasting impression on teammates, students, teachers and coaches.

Elijah Clayton, 22, was a member of West Hills’ Chaminade College Preparatory class of 2014. He attended the school for three years before completing studies at Calabasas High School and going on to become a successful competitive video gamer. 

Clayton, also known as TrueBoy, was killed when gunfire erupted Sunday during a “Madden NFL 19” video game tournament at the entertainment complex in Jacksonville.  

“He was such a joyful human being,” said said Calabasas High School Principal Catherine Foss. “Every one of these stories has a face, and he’s our face. He’s our kid.”

Foss recalled an encounter with Clayton in her office after one of his friend’s ran into some trouble. 

“He jus really spoke well for his friend and said, ‘Please, Ms. Foss, he’s a really good kid. He didn’t mean to do this. I’m going to talk to him. I’m going to take care of him. I’m going to keep him in line.’

“He was a leader.”

A post on the Calabasas High School football page said the team is heartbroken.

In a statement released by Chaminade College Preparatory, Clayton was described as a “sweet, mild-mannered young man who always showed great respect for his peers and the faculty.”

“He was a dedicated student, doing his best in the classroom while being a great teammate to his football family,” the statement continued. “Often he was assigned to the ‘scout team,’ a role he embraced because it improved the overall performance of the team. ” 

Law enforcement authorities did not immediately confirm the names of the two victims of the shooting at Jacksonville Landing, a shopping and dining area on the St. John’s River.

“He was a dedicated student, doing his best in the classroom while being a great teammate to his football family,” the statement continued. “Often he was assigned to the ‘scout team,’ a role he embraced because it improved the overall performance of the team. “

 

 

 

 

Including the gunman, three people died in the mass shooting. Ten other people were also wounded during a “Madden NFL 19” tournament at an entertainment complex Sunday afternoon.

Twenty-four-year-old David Katz of Baltimore, Maryland, was identified as the shooter by officials. Katz, who also died in the attack, was attending the Florida video game tournament.

Authorities have not confirmed a motive.

In a statement, Electronic Arts said, “Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the victims whose lives were taken today and those who were injured. All of us at Electronic Arts are devastated by this horrific event.”

Mother Jones identified Sunday’s mass shooting as the seventh such occurrence of 2018. Police stated that the gunman took his own life.

Photo Credit: Chaminade Preparatory
Source: NBC San Diego

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