Creepy and possibly even killer clowns have been seen across America for months, and now with Halloween fast approaching, there is a threat of an impending killer clown purge that is reportedly set to take place before the end of the month holiday. The first threats of a creepy killer clown purge appeared on social media a couple of weeks ago, and neither authorities nor private citizens are taking that horrific thought of mass-murdering clowns hitting the streets on or around October 30 lightly.
As the Inquisitr first reported in August, the creepy clown sightings that have spread across the nation got their start at a single apartment complex in South Carolina. At first, adults thought that reports of creepy clowns lurking in the woods and attempting to lure children with promises of candy and/or money were nothing more than the product of kids’ overactive imaginations. However, as the sightings got more frequent and parents themselves started hearing and seeing creepy clowns, the management of the Fleetwood Manor apartments in Greenville sent out letters to residents warning them to keep a close eye on their little ones.
Fam I don’t know about y’all but if I see a clown in the woods and he says “I got cotton candy”, can’t pass that up. pic.twitter.com/wAnw0ZsIW5
— ? (@Pokefax) August 30, 2016
Despite the public scrutiny, the creepy clown sightings continued to happen and they continued to spread. At last count, people in over 30 states have reported seeing creepy clowns. Police departments all over the nation have been dealing with increasingly violent and brazen creepy, killer clown sightings. At least one mom says a creepy clown tried to snatch her daughter. Schools have been closed, weapons have been brandished, students have been suspended, and threats and arrests have been made . Still, the creepy clown sightings have continued and even gone international.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlrlHJX4Pl4
Now, it is being reported that a creepy killer clown purge is being planned in the United States, to take place on or before Halloween. As Count On 2 News reports, the threat began on social media, and it’s led us back to South Carolina, where the creepy clown epidemic got its start all those weeks ago.
According to the social media threat, the creepy clown purge is going to target cities across the nation, cities that include Greenville, home of the Fleetwood Manor apartment complex where the clown sightings began in August. Law enforcement has made the public aware of the threat, and the media has shared the tale of a planned purge involving creepy, killer clowns, too. Despite the outcry, some people are taking the possibility of the creepy clowns turning deadly with a grain of salt.
“I think everything is going to be fine. It’s mainly talk. I don’t believe anything is going to happen.”
Can we stop with the clowns, please?! –> Social media threat of clown purge targets SC area https://t.co/R8T3dBMyyX via @WCBD
— Holy City Sinner (@HolyCitySinner) October 26, 2016
Local Greenville police have warned residents not to become vigilantes and not to try to get violent with any creepy clown they may see. After all, people will be wearing clown masks (and countless other costumes) for the next week or so, particularly over the upcoming weekend and on Halloween next Monday. Further, the Greenville Police Department has called the threat of a creepy, killer clown purge “not credible.”
“There is no credible threat. As we do each year there will be adding extra patrolling to ensure the safety of the public during Halloween. We ask that everyone be vigilant and if you notice unusual behavior contact 911 so that officers may respond to investigate. While the officers respond be a good witness and obtain as much information about the individual or vehicle.”
Even so, some people are gearing up for a dangerous, threatening, and possibly even deadly Halloween weekend fraught with clowns and the threat of more clowns to come.
“It’s scary that something like that could be that close to home.”
I love how my elementary students ask me if there will be clowns at the fair or on Halloween. ?
— kristin (@kristinj77) October 26, 2016
Raegan said the day before halloween is a clown purge, lock your windows and doors…. (she is 5 in kindergarten)
— Gophia Sarland (@sopapia_marie) October 26, 2016
Other cities and areas that made the creepy, killer clown purge list are responding to the potential threat of clown-related Halloween violence, too. Especially because, in addition to being the birthplace of purge-threatening killer clowns, social media has also been bombarded with frequent recent threats against clowns, too.
Girl strap up! Stab/shoot on SIGHT OF CLOWNS! https://t.co/Hr0GruBUq1
— ??uhammad-??llah (@shortFUZE_) October 26, 2016
@rowe_rowee in my dream you were teaching me and Soph how to shoot bc “the clowns are purging on Halloween & we gotta kill them” ???
— e (@irlmess) October 25, 2016
According to a report by Morning Ledger , the creepy killer clown purge is expected to hit in Pennsylvania, at least if social media is to be trusted. In that state, local authorities are also denying a “credible threat,” but they are advising residents to stay on the lookout for suspicious activity and report anything worth reporting to police.
HNGN is reporting that the creepy killer clown purge threat is being taken seriously all over the country, and even that it has been reported to the FBI and Homeland Security. Reportedly, the original threat of a pre-Halloween clown purge resulting in mass late-October murders began with a single Facebook post that went viral.
Clown Purge this Halloween in the UK, Australia and New Zealand? pic.twitter.com/Ck5KgDoUQw
— jav (@prinzjeon) October 22, 2016
According to the posted list of planned creepy killer clown purge target cities, the potential epidemic is expected to target a bunch of major cities and geographical areas.
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Chicago, Illinois
- Dayton, Ohio
- Denver, Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Los Angeles, California
- Pennsylvania
- Richmond, Virginia
- Upstate New York
Of course, even if the original rumor of a pre-Halloween creepy clown purge wasn’t legitimate, the amount of press the clown purge has gotten could easily spark copycat crimes or the unhinged to do the unthinkable. There are many who believe that’s what happened with the creepy clown phenomenon in the first place: a story that went viral and spawned “copyclowns.”
This is your Emergency Broadcast System. Announcing the commencement of the annual killer clown purge sanctioned by the U.K. Government pic.twitter.com/oBUkkfU2kh
— Bállër (@Woodbxrnn) October 16, 2016
The creepy clown problem has gotten so bad that the nation’s second-largest discount retailer, Target, made the decision to pull creepy clown costumes and masks off its store shelves just before Halloween, despite the fact that clown costume sales have skyrocketed this season.
What do you think? Is the creepy clown purge threat the real deal? Are this year’s creepy clown sightings changing the way you celebrate Halloween? Do you think that the U.S. will see violence and/or bloodshed as a result of the threatened creepy killer clown purge allegedly planned for October 30?
[Featured Image by Joe Prachatree /Shutterstock]