Clown Threat to Nashua Schools 'Unfounded'

NASHUA, NH — A social media rumor that "clowns were going to come to (Nashua) schools to harm students" proved unfounded after a police investigation, authorities said.

Interim Nashua schools Superintendent Cornelia Brown sent a bulletin to parents Thursday.

"We immediately investigated the rumor and found that there have been no reports of any clown sightings or threats to the schools or our students," Brown said.

Similar hoax clown threats — usually mentioned on social media — have captured ational news in recent weeks across the country. Few of the threats have been determined to be legitimate.

In a bizarre case in Auburn, Massachusetts this week, a parent wearing a clown mask was stopped by police for following a school bus. Police said they were deciding whether to press charges. Also this week, Merrimack College in Massachusetts was the target of a clown threat.

This is Brown's letter to parents of Nashua students:

"Recently the Nashua School District became aware of a rumor circulated through social media that clowns were going to come to the schools to harm students. Keeping students safe is critical. In collaboration with the Nashua Police Department and our District Security Team, we immediately investigated the rumor and found that there have been no reports of any clown sightings or threats to the schools or our students. The Nashua Police Department as part of its community policing program is in and out of the schools on a regular basis and all of us continue to monitor carefully the situation for any changes or developments."

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From Laughing to Screaming: The History of Clowns and Terror

Photo: davocano via Flickr