Boston police have announced today that they have arrested two men after they allegedly boosted about plans to massacre the Pokemon World Championship on Facebook.
The two suspects, Eighteen-year-old Kevin Norton and 27-year-old James Stumbo, were arrested at Saugus, Mass. hotel. They have been arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and other firearm related charges. Boston police have recovered recovered one 12-gauge Remington shotgun, one DPM5 Model AR-15 rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition, and a hunting knife from the suspects.
While the nature of the threats is currently unclear, Stumbo had posted a picture of 12-gauge shotgun and an AR-15 rifle on Facebook earlier this week along side the comment “Kevin Norton and I are ready for Worlds. Boston here were come!!!” In the comment section of the same post, he joked about killing the competition. Whether he meant literally or metaphorically is up for debate.
Both Norton and Stumbo were listed as invitees for the competition, competing in the “Master Division” for the Pokemon Trading Card game.
The two men were apparently caught attempting to enter the Hynes Convention Center, the venue for the event, one day before competition official started.
The Pokemon Company said the following in regards to the potentially lethal situation:
“Prior to the event this weekend, our community of players made us aware of a security issue,” it said. “We gathered information and gave it as soon as possible to the authorities at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center who acted swiftly and spearheaded communication with the Boston Police Department. Due to quick action, the potential threat was resolved. The Pokémon Company International takes the safety of our fans seriously and will continue to ensure proper security measures are a priority.”