Ever since its introduction in 1999, the Pokemon Trading Card Game has offered some of the most intense card-entertainment competition ever seen; with players spending inordinate amounts of time training to be the very best, like no one ever was.

James Austin Stumbo (left) and Kevin Norton (right) were arrested on weapons charges this weekend after the pair made threatening comments via social media.

But competition at high levels of any kind can often take a toll on a player, which may at least somewhat begin to explain the strange tale coming out of Boston this weekend.

Two men, James Austin Stumbo, 27, and Kevin Norton, 18, were arrested on weapons-related charges Saturday, in conjunction with threats they made surrounding this weekend’s Pokemon World Championships, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston Police said that they received a tip from private security personnel working at the Hynes Convention Center, where the 2015 Pokemon World Championships were set to take place, regarding threats that the duo made towards other competitors via social media.

As reported by the Daily Beast, Stumbo made allusions to an intent of violence via Facebook. –

“Kevin Norton and I are ready for Worlds Boston here we come!!!” wrote Stumbo on the social media mega-hub.

An acquaintance named Joey Faux replied with “Good luck!”

Norton chimed in with his response: “With killing the competition?”

“Haha yes,” replied a presumably clueless Faux.

Boston Police showcased the weapons recovered this weekend, following the arrests of Stumbo and Norton

Stumbo also published photographs of several firearms to his Facebook group, which he called “The Mayhem Pokemon Crew.”

Concerned players who were also scheduled to compete in the Boston Pokemon World Championships alerted venue officials to the threats that had been made, and Stumbo and Norton were prevented from entering the building once they arrived.

Boston Police requested, and were granted, a search warrant allowing them to inspect the vehicle in which the two traveled from Iowa. Inside, authorities recovered a shotgun, hunting knife, AR-15 riffle, and several rounds of ammunition.

The police arrested both Stumbo and Norton for possession of a weapon without a permit and other weapons-related charges.

Pokemon can make people do strange things.

Officials for the Pokemon Company International issued a statement today in regards to the potential violence at the Pokemon World Championships.

“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 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.”

It’s not known at this time as to who specifically, the two men were targeting, or why.

The 2015 Pokemon World Championships were otherwise held without incident, with Jacob Van Wagner winning the the Masters division during the weekend festivities.

Source – Fox News Boston

Source – Daily Beast

Source – Boston Police Department