The evil clown rumor has reached epidemic proportions, spreading from coast to coast, and even leading to a teen claiming he was cut by a knife-wielding clown in neighboring Coffee County.
“The rumor got started, it hit social media and snowballed, and now it’s taken a life of its own,” said McMinnville Police Chief Bryan Denton, saying city police answered three clown-sighting calls over the past week but found nothing. “We haven’t found any mischief or anything illegal having to do with clowns.”
Sheriff Jackie Matheny said the county has also fielded a few clown-sighting calls but was not able to substantiate any of them.
“If clowns were there, they were gone by the time our officers got there,” the sheriff said. “It’s become rampant all over the county.”
Sheriff’s Capt. Bo Ramsey suggested the sightings began around the country when it was announced a new movie of Stephen King’s “It” is under production. The movie is based on a King novel about a homicidal clown. That, combined with the coming of Halloween, the lawman believes, has caused the sudden clown scare.
Ramsey noted that while it is not illegal to wear a clown suit, it could be a crime if a person tries to scare someone while dressed as a clown.
“If you put a person in fear for their safety, it could be considered assault,” Ramsey noted. “And, if you are armed, you could be charged with felony assault.”
Sheriff Matheny said he is worried the clown scare could get out of hand.
“I’m afraid someone might get hurt or even shot,” Matheny said. “People are scared.”
The local scare was spurred by a report from a teen in Summitville who claimed someone in a red hoodie and clown mask accosted him. The teen claimed he was cut when he took a swing at the clown, noting the clown was allegedly clutching a knife. Deputies responded to the call but could find no proof to substantiate what the teen claimed.
While there has been no reports of clowns committing crimes or hurting anyone, lawmen say they will still respond to reported sightings. Parents are urged to remind their children not to talk or go anywhere with a stranger, even if they aren’t dressed as a clown.