So yeah, something horrible almost happened in a large Pokemon tournament over the weekend. Warning, language - I do quote their facebook posts.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/23/us/pokemo … s-threats/
Two Iowa men are facing firearm charges after authorities found weapons and ammunition in their vehicle following social media threats made to attendees of the Pokémon World Championships held in Boston, police said Sunday.
Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27, both of Iowa, were arrested on Saturday and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and other firearm related charges, according to a Boston Police Department news release.
No nexus to terrorism has been revealed, but the investigation is ongoing, Officer Rachel McGuire of Boston Police Department said.
"The BPD detectives did a great job in the stop and prevention of a potential tragedy," said Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald, Bureau of Intelligence and Analysis commander.
On Thursday, authorities of the Boston Regional Intelligence Center were informed of threats made over social media to the participants of the Pokemon event being held at the Hynes Convention Center
Norton and Stumbo were stopped trying to enter the event on Thursday, Boston police said. According to its website, the players attending the invitation-only event vied for $500,000 in scholarship awards, with the overall winner taking a $10,000 scholarship.
Norton and Stumbo were detained and escorted off the premises.
Informed that the suspects drove from Iowa and were in possession of firearms, detectives asked the pair to provide license to carry. The duo did not.
They were released but their vehicle was seized, police said.
On Friday, detectives executed a warrant on the vehicle and found one 12-gauge Remington shotgun, one DPMS Model AR-15 rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition and a hunting knife.
Police arrested the individuals at a Saugus, Massachusetts, hotel early Saturday. They were expected to be arraigned Monday.
The threats on social media were flagged by private sector public safety personnel at the convention center.
"This incident is a good example of private security reaching out to their local Boston police district and relaying information to detectives ... to identify the very real threat," Fitzgerald said.
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which oversees operations at the Hynes Center -- released the following statement:
"The safety of all those that enter our venues remains of paramount importance to the MCCA. As soon as we were made aware of a potential security issue at an event taking place at the Hynes this weekend, we worked closely with the Boston Police Department and the event to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
"The event was not directly impacted and we do not believe there is any further threat at this time."
CNN affiliate WHDH got the following statement from Pokémon Company International:
"Prior to the event this weekend, our community of players made us aware of a security issue. We gathered information and gave it as soon as possible to the authorities [at Hynes] ... who acted swiftly and spearheaded communication with the Boston Police Department. Due to quick action, the potential threat was resolved."
Some details that are only shown in screencaps:
This is an image of the screencap that lead to the search warrant
Description: On James Stumbo's facebook, a picture of his car, with two large assault rifles is displayed, with the caption "Kevin Norton and I are ready for Boston Worlds here we come!". Posted on August 19th.
This is another screencap with the above post and more posts as well
Description: Underneath the above post, are the following comments, with other names blocked out.
"Will bury literally all of you. I'll just bring a gun to the next event and literally pit holes in all of your chest until I feel better then the police will come take me away. I'll do life and you'll do life in the ground." 2 likes
Kevin Norton: Tell him that my gun's bigger. 2 likes
Anonymous: Nice guns shit car
Next facebook post, by Kevin Norton: So apparently pokeman doesn't care about anyone's constitutional rights.
Anonymous: That's the kind of stupid shit that really happens and when it went unreported, people died. It was unfunny, tasteless and legitimately concerning. Stupid kids getting banned for things they think are a "joke".
Featured are a laptop, two smartphones, a tablet, a knife, over 200 shotgun shells, two large firearms, a clip, a cylindrical object I can't identity, and two sets of clips for one of the guns.
More:
According to Heavy.com (link: http://heavy.com/news/2015/08/james-aus … t-court/), "police said other online posts referenced the Columbine shooting and “another Boston massacre.”
The duo was held without bail and are scheduled to appear in court again on September 1."
"Police said they served a search warrant on August 21 on a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects. Detectives found a 12-gauge Remington shotgun, a DPM5 Model AR-15 rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition and a hunting knife.
They then issued an arrest warrant for James Stumbo and Kevin Norton, and the duo was taken into custody at a hotel in Saugus, Massachusetts."
"Marking told the gaming website that Stumbo is a “self proclaimed gun enthusiast,” who might have been making a joke with the Facebook post."
"The Pokemon World Championships included nearly 1,000 invitees from around the world in the masters, senior and junior divisions, according to the Japanese card game’s website.
The tournament began Friday and was set to end on Sunday."
Discuss.
