SALEM, Mass. — An argument near Salem’s famous “Bewitched” statue allegedly escalated from competing opinions to electrical persuasion Tuesday night, leaving an Ohio man under arrest and police reminding Halloween visitors to leave their weapons at home.
Paul Selby, 46, of Mogadore, Ohio, was arrested after a person told officers that a man involved in a street-preaching dispute pulled out a stun gun and activated it twice.
Police said officers subsequently found Selby carrying two stun guns.
Apparently, one was insufficient preparation for an evening of public discourse.
The confrontation unfolded around 8:41 p.m. Oct. 27 in Townhouse Square, near the statue honoring Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha Stephens character.
Officers observed two groups arguing. One group was preaching, while members of the other were objecting to its message, according to police.
The disagreement appeared to subside when the preaching group crossed the street. But someone from the opposing group then approached officers and reported that a man from the other side had produced a stun gun during the confrontation.
The person described being “zapped” and said he feared for his safety.
Police also spoke with a witness who helped corroborate the account before locating a man matching the description provided.
Selby faces a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, police said.
The firearm charges concern the two stun guns authorities reported recovering. Massachusetts classifies stun guns as firearms for licensing purposes; police did not report finding two conventional handguns.
Authorities did not publicly detail the preaching group’s message or precisely what was said during the argument. The available reports also did not specify whether the person who reported being shocked required medical treatment.
The location supplied an unusually appropriate backdrop for an encounter involving alleged supernatural expectations of winning an argument.
The bronze “Bewitched” statue depicts Montgomery riding a broomstick in front of a crescent moon. Installed in 2005, it has become a popular stop for visitors to the city.
Samantha generally managed her disagreements with a twitch of the nose. Police allege this encounter involved considerably less subtle equipment.
Following the arrest, Salem police discouraged visitors from possessing or displaying weapons during the city’s Haunted Happenings celebrations.
Selby has not been convicted. No response from him or an attorney was included in the reports reviewed.
For everyone else visiting Salem this Halloween, the practical advice is straightforward: Enjoy the costumes, photograph the statue and allow a disagreement to remain a disagreement.
The city already has enough attractions without adding electrified debate.
