Seattle 'superhero' arrested, accused of assault with pepper spray

10/10/2011

SEATTLE— Seattle police say the young man who claims to be a superhero named Phoenix Jones was arrested after he was accused of assaulting several people with pepper spray. But, wearing his mask and his bulging muscle bodysuit, the self-styled vigilante said he was only trying to stop a brawl.

The encounter happened outside a nightclub early Sunday. Police said two men chased after Jones. Officers broke up the two parties and arrested the costumed 23-year-old.

Jones released a video on his Facebook page which he said shows that he used the spray after being attacked. He said he wouldn't "ever assault or hurt another person if they were not causing harm to another human being."

Jones and supporters have been conducting late night patrols since last year in Seattle.