A dispute over Pokémon trading cards erupted into shocking violence outside a GameStop in California, leaving one man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being bashed in the head and stabbed with shards of glass.
The incident occurred on Saturday (July 5), prompting a swift response from the Colma Police Department following reports “of a physical altercation involving multiple individuals at GameStop, located at 4929 Junipero Serra Boulevard,” according to an official press release.
“Upon arrival, officers located one victim with lacerations to the head and multiple stab wounds,” the statement continued.
Investigators work the crime scene following a shooting on April 16, 2023 in Dadeville, Alabama. According to reports, at least four people were killed and others injured in a shooting during a birthday party at a dance studio on Saturday night.
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“Officers immediately began to render medical aid to the victim at the scene, and he was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim is currently in stable condition.”
The suspects, identified as 49-year-old Miguel OrellanasFlores and 27-year-old Isaiah Calles—both residents of San Francisco—allegedly attacked the victim after OrellanasFlores attempted to cut in line to purchase Pokémon cards, sparking a heated argument.
“The argument turned physical when OrellanasFlores struck the victim in the back of the head with a glass mason jar. The second male, Calles, then grabbed the broken shards of glass of the mason jar and began to stab the victim multiple times,” police said.
Performers dressed as Pikachu, a character from Pokemon series game titles, march during the Pikachu Outbreak event hosted by The Pokemon Co. on August 9, 2017 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. A total of 1, 500 Pikachus appear at the city’s landmarks in the Minato Mirai area aiming to attract visitors and tourists to the city. The event will be held through until August 15.
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Following the violent encounter, both suspects fled the scene in separate vehicles, a Toyota and a Honda. However, thanks to the victim, who managed to capture photos of the suspects’ cars and license plates, police were able to locate and arrest them shortly afterward.
OrellanasFlores and Calles were both booked into San Mateo County Jail on several felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The bizarre and brutal incident underscores how a moment of perceived disrespect and a high-stakes collectibles market can dangerously collide.
Pokemon’s figures are on display during the International Tokyo Toy Show 2009 at Tokyo Big Sight on July 16, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.The Toy Show will take place until July 19 expecting 150,000 visitors.
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