© 2024 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pokémon Players Held Without Bail in Boston

Boston Police Department
Weapons Boston Police say were taken from the vehicle driven by Kevin Norton and James Stumbo.

Two Iowa men are being held without bail in Boston, pending a dangerousness hearing on September 1. Boston Police say 18-year-old Kevin Norton of Ames and 27-year-old James Stumbo of Boone drove more than 20 hours to the Pokémon World Championships in Boston.

The two were arrested late Friday night after a search of the men’s vehicle turned up guns, several hundred rounds of ammunition, and a hunting knife.

On Thursday the two attempted to register for the convention and security officers, on the lookout for the pair, notified police. Norton and Stumbo were taken into custody for questioning and police obtained a warrant. They subsequently uncovered the weapons and ammunition. 

Leading up to the invitation-only event, Norton and Stumbo allegedly made online threats against competitors and posted a photo of a white sedan containing weapons. Police say posts include references to the 1999 Columbine School Shooting, 2013’s Boston Marathon Bombing, and the Boston Massacre, which occurred in 1770.

"We can't really get inside their heads as to what their reasons may have been. But yes, some of the threats were, it seems, to fellow competitors," says Officer Rachel McGuire, a spokesperson for Boston PD.

Norton and Stumbo have been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and other firearm related charges.

McGuire says the two met on an online Pokémon forum.  Des Moines-based TV station KCCI reports that Stumbo's mother says her son and Norton are roommates.