4 Boys Charged for 'Creepy Clown' Threats on Social Media in Montgomery Co.

OLNEY, MD — Four 13-year-olds have been charged as juveniles for allegedly making threats under the guise of “creepy clowns” on social media to kill everyone at a Montgomery County middle school.

A series of social media posts threatening students who attend Rosa Parks Middle School in Olney led Montgomery County Police to charge the foursome on Wednesday, Oct. 5, with offenses tied to the threat of mass violence. Posts also named Argyle Middle School in Silver Spring and Farquhar Middle School in Olney as targets.

School officials called police Monday, Oct. 3, to report general threats had been made on social media to many students who attend the school. Following what has become a national trend, the Instagram account used the word “clown” as part of the identifier and photographs of clowns were attached to the posts.

The poster said they were coming to the school on Wednesday and “to be ready.” The Instagram messages also contained photographs of shovels and axes, police say.

SEE ALSO: 'Creepy Clown' Threats on Social Media Investigated in Montgomery Co.

One of the students named in the threats asked the poster what they planned to do to the targeted students when they arrived at the school. Police say the response was: “kill them.”

Detectives used details in the postings and information provided to them by the students, their parents, and school administrators to identify the suspects. On Wednesday, the boys were taken into custody, charged with making threats of mass violence, and then released to their parents.

The case has been referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Public Schools officials said several MCPS schools have received vague threats via social media. The anonymous threats were posted and shared under a “clown” alias.

Threats of clowns stalking people, and social media messages of violence, have swept the country in recent weeks. Most threats have proved to be unsubstantiated.

Reports of clowns harassing children two weeks ago turned out to be fake in Annapolis, where several children reported seeing people dressed in clown costumes and wearing face paint. The youngsters later admitted they made up the reports of people garbed as clowns stalking kids.

Then last weekend brought several threats in neighboring Prince George's County, where police arrested a juvenile Monday for allegedly threatening mass violence at Parkdale High School in Riverdale. The teen set up a Twitter account with a clown theme while in class, then tweeted threats to harm anyone at the school.

In light of this situation, it is recommended that you review safety procedures with your child, advise them to be more observant, and report any suspicious activity,” school officials said.

Safety tips provided by the National Crime Prevention Council:
What Parents Can Do:

• Know where your children are at all times: Make it a rule that your children must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere.
• Point out safe places. Show your children safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take, and safe places to go if there’s trouble.
• Teach children to trust their instincts. Explain that if they ever feel scared or uncomfortable, they should get away as fast as they can and tell an adult.
• Teach your children to be assertive. Make sure they know that it’s OK to say no to an adult and to run.
• Encourage your children to play with others. There’s safety in numbers!

What Children Can Do:

• Don’t talk to strangers.
• Don’t take anything from strangers.
• Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know.
• Use the buddy system, avoid walking anywhere alone.
• When seeking help, always go to a trusted adult – teacher, coach, police officer, other parent or older siblings.
• If a stranger grabs you, do everything you can to stop him or her from pulling you away. Drop to the ground, kick, hit, bite and scream. Do whatever it takes to attract the attention of others who can help you. If someone is dragging you away, scream, “this is not my dad,” or “this is not my mom.”
• Report any suspicious activity to your local school and police department.

»Photo via Pixabay