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LA-Based Gamer And Former Calabasas High Football Player Killed In Jacksonville Shooting

Elijah Clayton (Via easports.com)

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One of the victims killed Sunday during a mass shooting at a video game tournament in Jacksonville was a SoCal resident who had attended high school in Calabasas and the San Fernando Valley.

Calabasas High School tweeted that Elijah Clayton, a former student and football player, died after a gunman opened fire during the Madden NFL 19 Classic at a Florida mall. Another player was also killed and nine other people were wounded before the suspect shot and killed himself.

In a video that was livestreamed by the network Twitch, Clayton can be seen playing the Madden NFL game with a smile on his face as he scores a touchdown. As the video feed switches to a kickoff return, gunshots ring out, followed by sounds of panic and chaos.

Clayton was reportedly a talented football player online and in real life. He played at Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills in 2012 before transferring to Calabasas High School in 2013.

The high school acknowleged his death in a tweet Sunday evening.

Clayton was listed as a coach for Top Madden, which offered strategy and other resources to fellow players. Top Madden's CEO, who goes by "Problem" online, tweeted his condolences Sunday, along with a photo showing Clayton and himself at dinner with other gamers.

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"All over a videogame," he wrote. "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."

Ryan Fonseca and Alex Cohen contributed to this report.


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