A brawl over Pokémon cards turned violent outside a GameStop in Colma, California, on Saturday, ending with one man stabbed and two suspects arrested. The chaos erupted when 49-year-old Miguel OrellanasFlores allegedly tried to cut the line during a restock event for the popular trading cards.
Fans and scalpers had gathered early to purchase the high-demand items when OrellanasFlores sparked a confrontation. A man wearing a Pikachu hoodie confronted him, leading to a fight captured on video by bystanders. Tensions flared after the victim slapped another man, 27-year-old Isaiah Calles, in the face.
The altercation escalated quickly. Witnesses say OrellanasFlores and Calles tackled the victim to the ground while bystanders screamed for them to stop. “There’s kids watching!” one woman yelled as she attempted to break up the fight.
During the struggle, OrellanasFlores reportedly smashed a mason jar on the back of the victim’s head. Calles then picked up a glass shard and allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times.
Despite his injuries, the victim managed to photograph the attackers’ vehicles, including their license plates. Colma Police arrested both suspects shortly after. OrellanasFlores and Calles are charged with assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
GameStop did not issue a comment regarding the incident. The victim’s condition has not been disclosed. The violent incident adds to growing concerns about rising public disorder in California, where thefts, assaults, and high-profile brawls have become increasingly common in both urban centers and suburban communities. Critics point to soft-on-crime policies, weakened prosecution standards, and a lack of enforcement as fueling the spike in lawlessness. As violent outbursts now reach even retail events like trading card releases, many residents are calling for a serious return to law and order across the state.
