Portland Man Tasered, Arrested On Free Comic Book Day After Assaulting Stromtrooper

Portland, ME – May 4th was Star Wars Day, Naked Gardening Day, and Free Comic Book Day, but only the latter-most resulted in violence. One man was arrested at a Free Comic Book Day event after allegedly assaulting a Stormtrooper, a Ghostbuster, and then finally being Tasered.

Adam Barnes of Westbrook was arrested on Saturday at Coast City Comics after assaulting two people dressed up for Free Comic Book Day and threatening police, according to Portland authorities.

The comic shop was hosting an event associated with Free Comic Book Day, with a dozen people showing up in costume as Ghostbusters, Stormtroopers, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman.

Barnes showed up intoxicated and began assaulting store patrons just looking to celebrate comics and get their hands on a free one. Bobby Daggett, dressed as Green Lantern, recalled the scene for the Bangor Daily News.

“There were a bunch of people standing outside trying to drum up business and one guy was dressed as a Stormtrooper,” he said. “Out of nowhere this guy tried to put [the guy in the Stormtrooper costume] in a chokehold from behind and then throws him to the ground. He was trying to be intimidating above him and screamed obscenities to everybody.”

Daggett said that the scene was surreal.

“I didn’t think it was malicious [at first]. I thought they were messing around,” he said. “But the guy in costume had no idea who this guy was.”

Barnes apparently punches a man dressed as a Ghostbuster, and then left. Police caught up with him a block away.

“He was taunting and challenging police officers and then he got Tased,” said said Portland police Lt. Gary Hutcheson, who agreed that the scene was bizarre.

“I’ve been a cop for 23 years, I’ve never heard of a Ghostbuster and a Stormtrooper getting assaulted,” he said.

[Image via: Chris Harvey, Shutterstock.com]