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Prosecutors Detail Alleged Threats Against Pokémon World Championships

The two men who were arrested at the Pokémon World Championships this past weekend, Kevin Norton (18, right) and James Stumbo (27), are currently being held without bail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and other firearm charges.

Prosecutors say that Norton was banned from an online chatroom for bullying, and allegedly responded, "Oh, ok, that's fine then I will just shoot him on Friday thanks" when he was denied reentry. Prosecutors also cited a post where Stumbo allegedly wrote "my AR-15 says you lose."

Police were notified about possible threats that included references to the Boston Marathon and Columbine attacks, but prosecutors clarified that Norton and Stumbo did not make these statements.

The two men are not currently facing charges for making threats, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. "The investigation is ongoing," Conley said.

The Boston Police Department (BPD) said in a statement that it arrested the two men after finding a 12-gauge Remington shotgun, a DPMS Model AR-15 rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition, and a hunting knife in the car they used to drive from Iowa to Boston. According to the police, neither Norton nor Stumbo possessed licenses for the firearms.

They were not carrying weapons when they tried to enter the convention center where the championships were being held.

On a public Facebook page called "Mayhem Pokémon Crew," Stumbo allegedly posted a photo of a white sedan with two firearms set atop the trunk of a white sedan on Wednesday. The post said, “Kevin Norton and I are ready for worlds Boston here we come!!!” When a group member posted wishing the two men luck, Norton allegedly responded, “With killing the competition?”

The Pokémon Company were made aware of the alleged threats, and informed the security at the Hynes Convention Center, where the event took place, on Thursday. The convention center's security personnel then contacted the Boston Police Department. It also increased security in the event. The suspects were barred from entering the event on Thursday evening. Boston police executed a search warrant on the suspects' vehicle on Friday, finding and recovering the weapons. The BPD then collaborated with the police in the nearby town of Saugus to arrest the two suspects at a hotel in that town.

Sources: Boston Globe, WCVB5, Boston.com

Thanks to AbZeroNow for the news tip.