In case you missed it, the creepy clown phenomenon we reported on last month has turned into an all-out circus. And now that it’s officially hit California, we’ve gone from slightly amused to seriously spooked.
Here are just a few of the clown-related reports coming out of the Golden State:
Modesto: There were three sightings of sinister-looking clowns in the city as of Monday, forcing public safety and local school officials to respond. Cell phone video has also captured one of the hooligans perusing a Modesto park.
Lancaster: Knife-wielding clowns have reportedly been “pranking” pedestrians.
San Pedro: Employees at an elementary school say two individuals dressed in clown outfits crept up on them around 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Antioch, Fairfield, Oakland and San Mateo: Schools in all four cities have been threatened by professed clowns on social media, but local police are calling it a hoax. Instagram user @wearecomingtocali says they’re going to Carson High School next.
Meanwhile, Heavy has compiled a list of affected states. As of Wednesday, there were nearly three dozen. The situation has become so pervasive that it was mentioned at a White House briefing.
Hoax? Halloween? Marketing scheme? Authorities are still trying to figure it out.