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xp_communicationTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An attempted terrorist attack that threatened to set a memorial in Kansas' capital on fire Saturday was stopped by the intervention of reality TV star Arthur Centino, police and witnesses said.
A mutant female suspect in the form of crimson dragon was spotted around 11 a.m., flying toward the Sen. Robert Kelly Memorial, three miles away from the Kansas Statehouse.
The creature shot flames through the air, blanketing parts of Topeka with burning embers and and causing moderate property damage. It eventually landed on the sidewalk next to the memorial, shocking protest groups and security personnel.
One security guard at the memorial, Joe Vasilionek, described the woman's dragon form as being "the size of a Ford F-150" pickup truck. FBI spokeswoman Meredith Blanson said she could not confirm the dragon's size and would not reveal the suspect's identity, citing the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses say the dragon cleared the area and began to set explosives around the bronze statue of Kelly, a staunch anti-mutant advocate. Before she could detonate the charges, Centino — a television personality best known for wilderness survival series "Longshot for Survival" — arrived and deactivated the detonation device.
Cell phone camera footage and social media photos show Centino battling with the red-scaled dragon until police arrived to subdue her.
While several police officials associated with the investigation confirmed Centino's appearance at the scene, they disputed the level of his involvement. Blanson said Centino did not appear to be harmed despite footage showing him in the midst of the dragon's fire.
"We're still examining the role of Arthur Centino in stopping this heinous threat to the American people's safety," she said. "His injuries are not consistent with witness accounts or security footage we've been able to recover of the attack."
Centino's publicist and his production company did not return requests for comment, and the South Africa-born celebrity was not made available for interviews.
"Regardless of his involvement, the people of Kansas are lucky Centino arrived when he did and worked with police to halt this attack," Blanson said.
Earlier Saturday, a mid-morning stabbing sent two people to a Topeka hospital, according to the Topeka Police Dept. Officials do not currently believe the incidents are related but are currently investigating possible connections.
A mutant female suspect in the form of crimson dragon was spotted around 11 a.m., flying toward the Sen. Robert Kelly Memorial, three miles away from the Kansas Statehouse.
The creature shot flames through the air, blanketing parts of Topeka with burning embers and and causing moderate property damage. It eventually landed on the sidewalk next to the memorial, shocking protest groups and security personnel.
One security guard at the memorial, Joe Vasilionek, described the woman's dragon form as being "the size of a Ford F-150" pickup truck. FBI spokeswoman Meredith Blanson said she could not confirm the dragon's size and would not reveal the suspect's identity, citing the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses say the dragon cleared the area and began to set explosives around the bronze statue of Kelly, a staunch anti-mutant advocate. Before she could detonate the charges, Centino — a television personality best known for wilderness survival series "Longshot for Survival" — arrived and deactivated the detonation device.
Cell phone camera footage and social media photos show Centino battling with the red-scaled dragon until police arrived to subdue her.
While several police officials associated with the investigation confirmed Centino's appearance at the scene, they disputed the level of his involvement. Blanson said Centino did not appear to be harmed despite footage showing him in the midst of the dragon's fire.
"We're still examining the role of Arthur Centino in stopping this heinous threat to the American people's safety," she said. "His injuries are not consistent with witness accounts or security footage we've been able to recover of the attack."
Centino's publicist and his production company did not return requests for comment, and the South Africa-born celebrity was not made available for interviews.
"Regardless of his involvement, the people of Kansas are lucky Centino arrived when he did and worked with police to halt this attack," Blanson said.
Earlier Saturday, a mid-morning stabbing sent two people to a Topeka hospital, according to the Topeka Police Dept. Officials do not currently believe the incidents are related but are currently investigating possible connections.
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