BURTON, MI -- Burton police arrested a 36-year-old Sterling Heights man known as Bee Sting - a member of the Michigan Protectors group - on felonious assault and possession of body armor while committing a violent felony charges for a Thursday morning incident at Twin Meadows Mobile Home Park.

Lt. Michael Odette said Bee Sting is part of the Protectors group, which label themselves online as "a group of costumed activists," but owner Bruce Stein denies giving the group permission to act as security at the park off Fenton Road.

Around 12:07 a.m. Thursday, a 38-year-old man was riding into the park with his girlfriend when the pair were approached by Bee Sting because of the volume of the motorcycle.

"Bee Sting approaches the man about how he was driving his motorcycle too loud," said Odette.

The costumed man was equipped with a tactical belt, pepper spray, scissors and handcuffs, and wearing a bullet-proof vest, black leather jacket with a bee logo, shin guards, knee pads, black leather gloves and carrying a shotgun.

A verbal confrontation ensued between the men, Odette said, when "It escalates and the suspect, Mr. Bee Sting, according to our victim points a gun at him."

The victim was able to grab the barrel of the shotgun and point it in an opposite direction, Odette said. One shot was fired and struck a nearby vacant trailer, and police arrived as the men were fighting.

Odette said the department had first heard about the Michigan Protectors group during a rash of arson fires taking place at the park.

"We discouraged him from having these modern-day, self-proclaimed superheroes in the park because of what may happen," he said, stating the department advised Stein to hire a "professional, reputable security company."

Stein said he'd been talking with one person regarding security who may be a part of the group, which was not the man inside the park during the incident.

"Right after they caught the second arsonist, there was just a lot of tension in the park, and I wanted him to see what was going on and what was happening," said Stein. "I did not give permission to the Michigan Protectors to come into the park and do what they were doing last night."

According to the Protectors website, Bee Sting is a combat veteran who after recovering from injuries sustained in Iraq returned home to help others.

The suspect's name has not been released pending his arraignment in Genesee District Court expected tomorrow.