In the past week, five different accounts of clowns and scream-masked criminals have arisen showing that many people’s worst fears are truly coming to life.

Creepy Child-calling Clown

The first account was a report of a man dressed as a clown in Greenville, South Carolina. This report was on August 21^st, and the witness said they saw a man, dressed as a clown, attempting to lure children into the woods. Though normally a report like this would go unnoticed, more and more sightings were reported. Other accounts saw clowns whispering in the woods, flashing green lights, banging on doors, rattling chains, and luring children with money. Though none of the reports were able to be substantiated, South Carolina police are still concerned with their town’s safety and have made public statements saying that this disturbance is illegal.

Knife Wielding Clown

In Columbus, Ohio another criminal clown was reported chasing a 14-year-old boy with a knife. A man dressed in black with a clown mask and knife chased the boy from his bus stop at six in the morning. Luckily the 14-year-old escaped the clown but neighboring parents are very concerned.

Scream-masked Shooter

Creepy clowns aren’t the only one’s terrorizing towns. In Santa Monica, a man wearing a scream mask broke into a home and shot the homeowner before fleeing the scene. The scream-masked-shooter is still unidentified. The shot homeowner is expected to recover from his injury.

Scream Robber

In Erie, Pennsylvania a man wearing a scream mask tried to rob a cigar store. The store owner reported the criminal holding him up at gunpoint and demanding money. The store owner then chased after and shot at the robber. The scream mask, toy gun, and money bag of the robber were later found in a nearby street.

Whether these criminals are just masked-copy cats, hoping to get away with their crime; kids pulling, not so funny, pranks; or worst nightmares coming to life; police and people across the country are concerned. Hopefully, these horror movie sighting will cease and can return to just being in movies.