WhilePokemon GOmay not be as popular as it was back in the summer of 2016, there are still many people that are passionate about the game. However, some people are a littletoopassionate aboutPokemon GO, as player Andrew Otton and two of his friends discovered when they were attacked by a stranger with a tire iron after taking a Pokemon Gym from him.
The incident happened in Vancouver, Washington. Otton, who uses thePokemon GOusername AndySamberg, hadtaken over a Pokemon Gymrecently claimed by a man named Stephen Jolly. Jolly, armed with a tire iron, then “very angrily” confronted Otton and his two friends, including Grayson Hagstrom, who was reportedly punched multiple times by the enragedPokemon GOplayer.
Jolly has admitted to hitting a table with a tire iron, but denies that he punched Hagstrom. Hagstrom, meanwhile, claims that he started choking Jolly as a means of incapacitating him. It’s unclear if the punches Hagstrom allegedly received came before or after he started choking Jolly.
Jolly is now facing assault and malicious mischief charges for his actions. He told police that he wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the ordeal, but has mental health issues, which he is apparently trying to address with medication.
According to Hagstrom, this isn’t the first time Jolly has confronted people in public. Hagstrom said that he posted about the incident on Facebook, and other people claimed to have encountered Jolly as well. Whether or not these other incidents were related toPokemon GOwasn’t specified, however.
While it’s unfortunate that this incident happened at all, at least it sounds like no one was seriously hurt. Hopefully Jolly is able to control his rage in the future, if he decides to keep playingPokemon GOafter resolving his current legal issues. In the meantime, players should take note ofways they can stay safewhile playingPokemon GO.
Pokemon GOis available now for iOS and Android mobile devices.
