Student Arrested for Clown Threats at West-Side High School

PUYALLUP (AP) — A teen has been arrested south of Seattle for felony harassment and false reporting after authorities say a series of joking clown threats got out of control.

The News Tribune reports a 17-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office says threatening text messages were sent to fellow students along with the teen making a false report to authorities of "clown hunting" and a stabbing. Deputies responded but found no victim.

Three female students called 911 Monday to report receiving text messages from someone identifying as a clown making threats to kill specific students during lunchtime.

The department did not say how they determined the boy was responsible for the incidents.

The boy was booked into a juvenile detention center.

Clown threats have popped up in schools across the country.