Phoenix-Jones_instudio.jpg
Phoenix Jones says police took his original suit, shown here in an appearance on 97.3 KIRO FM's John Curley Show. (97.3 KIRO FM/file)

Seattle superhero arrested for pepper-spraying four people

BY Chris Sullivan  on October 10, 2011 @ 5:42 am (Updated: 7:06 am - 10/11/11 )

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A self-proclaimed Seattle superhero was arrested over the weekend after police say he pepper-sprayed a group of people walking from a bar.

"They took my suit, they took my body armor, they took my gloves, they took everything from me. They said it was evidence in the crime. They took my pepper spray, which I understand," Phoenix Jones told 97.3 KIRO FM's Ron and Don Show.

But Jones, 23-year-old man who dresses like a superhero, assured the public: "I got a new super suit. I should be on patrol tonight!"

Phoenix Jones shows The John Curley Show new super suit:

Jones has released video of the confrontation in downtown Seattle. He claims he saved a man who was the victim of a hit and run.

Seattle police say Jones pepper-sprayed four people who were simply walking down the street. He was arrested and booked on four counts of misdemeanor assault early Sunday and released from the King County Jail Sunday afternoon. The City Attorney's office says he has a court appearance set for Thursday morning.

Jones would not talk about the charges, only to say "preparation is the key to everything. I'm very organized. We had a contingency plan if I was ever arrested."

In the video posted on his Facebook page, Jones was hit several times by a woman with a shoe. Why is a so-called superhero not able to defend himself against a woman with a shoe?

"I'm not going to pepper spray a woman no matter how many times she hits me. I'm just not going to," Jones said. "That was the hardest part, but I have a very firm belief in what is right and what's wrong."

So far, Jones said the Seattle Police Department has been very accommodating with his "career" choice, but a few officers have a problem with him.

"It just so happened I ran into one of those officers."

Jones, who claims to run with an entourage of at least a dozen people, some masked, has not officially released his identity.

In an interview last month with John Curley, Jones explained why he's willing to put himself in harm's way.

"If someone gets hurt, it probably should be me, rather than the average person. All of us are wearing bullet proofs, all of us have taken some sort of self defense training class. We all call 911 the minute the crime happens," he said.

Listen to the interview with John Curley

WARNING: Video contains offensive language.

Phoenix Jones Stops Assault from Ryan McNamee on Vimeo.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (46)


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  • Oly80 wrote...
    this isn't the full story...
    October 10, 2011 6:38 am
    i read it on the stranger's blog this morning that he insists he was breaking up a fight, and that he has video evidence of the fight. why don't the cops go stop some real crime and leave the people just trying to help alone? this is getting more and more backwards all the time.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Well
    October 10, 2011 6:55 am
    If he is pepper spraying people for walking down the street, he needs to be arrested, that's a real criminal. I am sure those people were laughing at him and the rediculousness of the costume that he was wearing and he probably got upset and pepper sprayed them. Were's the video and why didn't the police watch the video to help him arrest the perputrators?
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  • Boatdrnk32 wrote...
    Really...
    October 10, 2011 7:09 am
    I think the most shocking part of the story for me is Phoenix Jones has a spokesman.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Oly80 is right. There simply isn't enough vigilanteism these days
    October 10, 2011 7:27 am
    I'm heading out to put out spike strips for the drivers going too fast down my street.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    if someone was getting beaten up...
    October 10, 2011 7:39 am
    and this guy stoped it, then he did well. just breaking out pepper spray to subdue people isn't a good idea. i never did say start taking people down, or put out spike strips. but, way to take that to a totally different level to make yourself look like you actually had a good point, Krazy.
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  • artimus wrote...
    As it should be
    October 10, 2011 10:01 am
    Anyone familiar with the superhero film genre knows that a temporary fall from grace with the police and/or city fathers is an essential plot device in the development of the character. All that's left now is for Phoenix to save the mayor or chief of police (perhaps bad examples in the case of Seattle), regain the trust and veneration of the good citizens of Pugetropolis, ice the bad guy (Howard Schultz?), spin the earth backwards, and it's time to roll the credits and plan the sequel.
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  • MS1968 wrote...
    Fix the department!!
    October 10, 2011 10:11 am
    The point here is half way through the video when someone says "where are the cops?". Yes... where are they? Once they arrive they are embarrassed that they don't do their job and citizens need to take to the streets to cover for them. It is obvious that Phoenix just wants to do what is right. Can that be said about the SPD? I have been treated poorly with threats of violence in the past by SPD while in uniform serving as a Federal Law Enforcement official. The department needs some training to correct their misplaced attitude, so they can get back to serving the people.
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  • happy happy joy joy wrote...
    When seconds matter.
    October 10, 2011 10:19 am
    The cops are only 12 minutes away!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    I'm sure people will have plenty of nice things to say...
    October 10, 2011 10:23 am
    ... At this guy's funeral. I'm not going to diminish the fact that his intent is great, and admirable, and heck, I wish more folks cared enough to put their own butts on the line... But it's far too likely that that check will get cashed eventually. Probably even more of a risk once his "secret identity" gets revealed. Good luck to you, Mr. Jones. Noble actions, but riiiiiiiisky!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Weiser Postban wrote...
    EVERY person in this video
    October 10, 2011 10:38 am
    is a moron. Losers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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