Recent sightings of strange and sinister clowns have been popping up across the United States, the United Kingdom and even Spain, often under the cover of night. From black balloons to weapons, these eerie pranksters have sparked fear and fascination alike.
Recent Sightings of Sinister Clowns Across America and Europe
10 ‘Gags’ Wanders Green Bay, Wisconsin, With Black Balloons
Locals in Green Bay gave this midnight wanderer the nickname “Gags.” The clown first strutted through town in the early hours of August 1, 2016, and the sighting was logged by radio station WBAY. Apart from his unsettling makeup and battered jumpsuit, Gags clutched a bunch of ominous black balloons.
Speculation swirled that a local filmmaker was behind the stunt for a short horror piece. The eerie photos quickly went viral on Facebook, racking up over 50,000 likes as the legend of Gags grew.
9 South Carolina Clowns Trying To Lure Children
In August 2016, Greenville residents received a stark warning: report any clown sighting to police immediately. Witnesses described clowns with luminous noses and oversized shoes prowling the streets, allegedly trying to coax kids into nearby woods.
Other reports placed these wicked‑looking figures near basketball courts and under streetlights, sometimes brandishing cash and even lasers. Greenville County Sheriff’s Ryan Flood stressed the seriousness of the alerts, prompting increased patrols despite a lack of concrete evidence.
8 North Carolina
A week after the South Carolina warning, similar sightings emerged across the North Carolina border, dubbed the “Tar Heel” sightings. They clustered around Greensboro and Winston‑Salem.
The first encounter involved a clown with red curly hair and a yellow‑dotted shirt sprinting from the woods near an apartment complex. A brave witness chased it back with a machete, prompting authorities to advise prank‑enthusiasts to steer clear of clown garb.
7 Clowns Brandishing Weapons In Bakersfield, California
In 2014, Bakersfield police fielded reports of clowns roaming the city armed with machetes or baseball bats. Officer Joe Grubbs noted the sightings preyed on the innate fear of clowns.
Twenty sightings flooded the town in a single week. The only “clown” nabbed was a 14‑year‑old boy chasing younger children while dressed as a clown. He claimed it was a prank he’d seen online; police released him but warned against such dangerous masquerades.
6 Clown Issues Online Threat To Abduct Children From Schools In Georgia
September 2016 brought a chilling report from LaGrange, Georgia: clowns were approaching children and one even posted an online threat to kidnap students.
The threat surfaced on a Facebook page promising a clown‑disguised driver would target five local schools in a white van. While the perpetrator remains unidentified, LaGrange police said they would prosecute anyone caught if it served the public interest.
5 Copycat Clown Appearances In The San Joaquin Valley, California
October 2014 saw a wave of crimes in California’s San Joaquin Valley, and witnesses reported perpetrators dressed as clowns. Their looks kept changing, but the “evil” vibe stayed constant.
An anonymous caller claimed the sightings were part of a photography project he and his wife were doing. He didn’t intend to frighten anyone, but locals apparently took the idea and spawned a wave of copycat clown appearances.
4 Tabloid Newspaper Unmasks Creepy Clown In Northampton, UK
On September 13, 2013, a mysterious clown began haunting Northampton, UK. The specter quickly went global, with TV crews from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and India covering the phenomenon.
Eyewitnesses likened him to Stephen King’s Pennywise, noting his balloons, slow wave and occasional “Beep! Beep!” chant. The Daily Mirror traced the prankster to student filmmaker Alex Powell, who was caught emerging from his home in full clown attire.
3 Clown On I192, Kentucky
Mid‑September 2016, Jamie Hill posted a photo of a figure near the Hal Rogers Parkway in London, Kentucky. She hadn’t intended to share it publicly, but when others confirmed the sighting, the image went viral.
Laurel County Sheriff’s office received no formal complaints, yet they remain poised to act after neighboring counties reported three suspicious clown‑costumed individuals.
2 Vigilante Groups Respond To Evil Clown Pranksters Throughout France
Late 2014 saw France gripped by a wave of “evil” clowns, many brandishing pistols, baseball bats or knives. One woman claimed a clown attacked her with a fake axe, while others reported robberies by masked assailants.
Authorities treated the incidents with deadly seriousness, arresting several suspects. A 19‑year‑old received a six‑month suspended sentence for dressing as a clown and threatening the public.
1 Gijonclown
After the French frenzy, Spain’s coastal city of Gijón introduced its own eerie jester: “Gijonclown.” The figure maintains an Instagram account with over 5,000 followers.
He appears in the early hours, never speaking or wielding weapons, but locals describe his demeanor as “sinister.” Unlike the French incidents, Gijonclown seems content with the spotlight alone.
One of his posts reads, “Scared of clowns? But we are the most friendly, nice and sociable people you’ll ever meet. You’ll find us at night.”
Further Reading
If you suffer from coulrophobia, you might want to skip these fascinating articles from our archives:
- Top 10 Clowns You Don’t Want To Mess With
- 10 Bizarre Facts About Clowns
- 10 Creepy Tales About Clowns
- 10 Most Horrific Circus Accidents In History
Marcus Lowth writes for Me Time For The Mind. Follow him on social media for more spooky stories.