Seattle's "superhero" Phoenix Jones avoids assault charges for now

BY Tim Haeck  on October 13, 2011 @ 9:37 am (Updated: 12:51 pm - 10/13/11 )

Phoenix Jones
Outside the courthouse on Thursday morning, Seattle's superhero Phoenix Jones declared his true identity. He then walked off without taking questions from the media. (97.3 KIRO FM/Tim Haeck) | Zoom
Related
Phoenix Jones might be off the hook for assault charges.

The city attorney declined to file charges against Seattle's self-proclaimed superhero on Thursday, but did say that the investigation is on-going.

During the hearing, a court officer asked Jones to remove his mask and he complied. He wore his superhero uniform under a button-down shirt.

Prosecutors told a judge they would need more time to decide whether to file charges in the case.

Outside the courthouse, Jones declared, "I am Phoenix Jones, I am also Ben Fodor. I am just like everybody else. The only difference is that I try to stop crime."

He then said he'd be out patrolling Thursday night and invited city leaders to 1st Ave. and Pike St. for a meet up on Saturday night.

Fodor, 23, was arrested Saturday for investigation of assault after allegedly using pepper spray to break up a fight in downtown Seattle.

A woman, who wishes to be identified as Maria and was involved in the incident is "furious" over the outcome.

She told Ross and Burbank on Thursday no one ever contacted her for a statement or to file a report. Maria claimed she continued calling police, but they kept telling her "it's in review."

Maria can be seen hitting Fodor with one of her shoes. She said there was no reason for him to interject because there was never a fight. She did admit that one man did get pushed, but nothing serious was going on. "This stuff happens all the time if you're in downtown Seattle, but there wasn't going to be anything too violent going on there."

Maria said even if there were, she still doesn't think Jones acted appropriately. "He had no right to just step in and pepper spray anyone."

Jones says he's sure someone was being hurt and needed his help.

In an interview 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.

Phoenix Jones Stops Assault from Ryan McNamee on Vimeo

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
Related:
More Local News
Top Stories
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (21)


  • Add A Comment

  • Cash wrote...
    What a joke...
    October 13, 2011 9:08 am
    And a cornball... Lose the supersuit and get a real job.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Cash
    October 13, 2011 12:04 pm
    The joke is people like you who do nothing but sit on the side and denigrate others who actually try and do something to help others. I'd take 100 Phoenix Jones to one of you. Go back to the peanut gallery, they need your help.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    everybody knows who he is now.
    October 13, 2011 9:11 am
    Who ever he screws with next might be his last, because now they can find him out of that suit. Good luck
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • forcryingoutloud wrote...
    Shouldn't "Maria"...
    October 13, 2011 9:25 am
    Perhaps Phoenix should file assault charges against 'Maria' for pounding him on the head with her shoe!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    good fo Jones!
    October 13, 2011 9:44 am
    keep up the good work, but yeah now that his identity is out you have to wonder if he will keep doing it. One of those 32 people he got convicted my try and retaliate. Hope not but you never know.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NoElephants wrote...
    Why the hate?
    October 13, 2011 9:48 am
    This kid, unlike everybody making comments, myself included, took it upon himself to try and stop crime, and he in fact has done so many times over, helping real people. He isn't asking for anything, and he isn't making this a partisan issue. Just a kid trying to help his fellow citizens. For cripes' sake, with all the bickering and nonsense we deal with on a daily basis, I for one enjoy reading about somebody that wants to help with little or no credit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MS1968 wrote...
    Lame haters
    October 13, 2011 9:57 am
    The people that comment here would complain if it was a nice day outside. The fact is Jones is more of a great human being than they will ever be. Keep your hate trolls!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Flanders Houligan wrote...
    Right on!
    October 13, 2011 9:55 am
    Great news! I support him and what he is trying to do 100%.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    I agree with noelephants.
    October 13, 2011 9:58 am
    What makes this kid interesting to me is that he's doing it on his own time and it appears that he's trying to "do right" in the world... and in my definition, that makes him a hero.

    I couldn't care less if the kid is "goofy" or not - I respect what he's doing.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wheresjane wrote...
    Right on!
    October 13, 2011 9:59 am
    Go Phoenix!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    maria
    October 13, 2011 10:16 am
    is a drunken fool. Phoenix should have emptied the entire can on her. Keep fighting the good fight pj! You do great work!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    What?
    October 13, 2011 10:28 am
    Doing right, helping people...? What? Then guy is a nubjob. Period. And he's gonna get someone killed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • PhotoEvangelist wrote...
    By the looks of it..
    October 13, 2011 10:40 am
    Phoenix should have waited to see if it was a real fight and not just a bunch of drunk friends horse playing(which it was it appears to be from the video).. I'd be kind of ticked too if some guy in a mask broke up a fight that wasn't really a fight and then followed me.. If people want to fight crime I'm all for it.. But standing back and waiting to see whats really going on is a valuable lesson. Another 30 seconds to a minute would have made a difference between being in the middle of a unwelcoming crowd or going on to the next thing.. Thats just my input from listening to what "Maria and friends where saying to Phoenix and Possy.. He could have left anytime and it would have never been a issue.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }