Threats of creepy clowns terrorize students in the Las Vegas Valley

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) - Threats of creepy clowns are terrorizing students at five schools across the Las Vegas Valley.

The costumed circus acts are causing panic with teenagers and parents.

At Green Valley High School in Henderson, the threats go one step further, with rumors of a shooter. Some students skipped school or went home early, even though the Clark County School District Police told News 3 the threats were a hoax.

Lauren Acevedo is a junior at Green Valley. She showed News 3 one of three posts making the rounds.

It reads: "I'm Marco the clown and I have a surprise for you.” Lauren went home early, because she’s not sure if it’s serious, or a sick joke.

Students were passing around pictures of the clowns and it caused panic at some schools.

"I just think it's ridiculous that people think things like that are funny, because there are issues with violence in the real world,” said Lauren.

Creepy clown threats have gone from laughable to scary. Multiple states have reported the threats and 12 people have been arrested.

An entire Ohio school district was shut down Friday after a woman said she was attacked by someone dressed as a clown on her front porch.

Nancy Baker has been renting out clown costumes in Las Vegas for 60 years. She owns Williams Costume Company.

"My memories were always happiness,” said Baker. "Not anything to be afraid of,” she continued.

Baker said her employees have seen more requests this year for scary clown costumes.

Although the rumors in the Las Vegas Valley have failed to turn up any creepy clowns, Lauren is playing it safe.

"Maybe it's a joke, but maybe it's not,” she said.