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. 
 
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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
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