In a “high risk” gunpoint takedown, Abbotsford police arrested a 29-year-old man dressed as Marvel superhero Deadpool in a McDonald’s parking lot.
Once they found out his sword and handgun were harmless props, they let him go.
According to APD Const. Paul Walker, police received reports of a costumed man carrying apparent weapons in the Clearbrook Road and South Fraser Way area at about 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 9. He was wearing what witnesses describe as a “homemade”-looking version of the comic book character’s outfit, including a red face mask, long-sleeved top, katana and sidearm.
Police approached the man, guns drawn, and took him into custody.
“A search of the man noted that [his] ‘weapons’ in fact were fake,” said Walker.
“Given the nature of the call, we responded to the situation very seriously and took steps to ensure the safety of our citizens,” he continued. “Poor decision making on the part of the man played a large role in yesterday’s call."
The man told police he wore the costume to promote the upcoming 2016 film Deadpool, an X-Men spinoff in which Ryan Reynolds will play the titular wisecracking antihero. Many of the movie’s scenes were filmed in the Lower Mainland this spring.
Police gave the man a stern talking to and then released him at the scene, without charges. They did, however, force him to change out of his costume and carry it home in a bag.
This isn’t the first time someone dressed as this weapon-toting superhero caused conflict with police. In Sydney, Australia in 2014, an insurance contractor named Reuben Rose donned a Deadpool costume, complete with multiple fake guns and swords, and hopped on a commuter train to travel to a comic book-themed charity fundraiser. Police clad in bulletproof vests initially arrested Rose, then let him go once they found out his arsenal was harmless.
Photo: Rose in a Deadpool costume on the Sydney commuter train. (via Facebook)