South Carolina Clown Sightings: A Possible Photo Turns Up, And A Clown In Ohio Reportedly Chases Teen With Knife [Video]

"There were allegations that they had seen these clowns with guns, but our investigators responded and didn't find any shell casings or anything like that. At this point we have not found any information or evidence to corroborate anything. I am not saying it is not true, but we haven't found any evidence yet."

At first, the South Carolina clown sightings were concentrated in one local area, but soon they began to spread to different locations. By September 2, the clown sightings were taking place not just near Greenville's Fleetwood Manor but other apartment communities, neighborhoods, and cities. Multiple active investigations are ongoing at several police departments related to clown sightings in South Carolina.

Still, nothing has turned up by way of evidence. Multiple people have tried to get the elusive South Carolina clowns on camera, but with very little luck. There is only one known photograph connected to the South Carolina clown sightings, and law enforcement has not verified that it's anything other than a hoax photo created due to the publicity and panic surrounding the South Carolina clowns.

Interestingly, in South Carolina, it is a crime for anyone over the age of 18 to dress up like a clown and lurk around, reports Yahoo News. That means that the culprits behind the makeup involved in the South Carolina clown sightings are breaking the law. Local police have promised to prosecute anyone involved in the sightings aggressively, too. After all, a lot of time and effort have gone into investigating these reports, and all of the clowning around isn't funny anymore. It has residents and law enforcement on edge and keeping an extra close eye on local children.

Now, in the midst of increasing clown sightings in South Carolina, it is being reported that the disturbing trend has crossed state lines. NBC News reports that a clown sighting occurred near Columbus, Ohio, last Tuesday. Unlike the South Carolina clown sightings that have remained vaguely threatening but non-violent, the incident in Ohio crossed the line into something else entirely.

"The victim was able to get away from him by throwing a rock at him. We don't know whether this was a prank or not, but we are taking it seriously."

At this point, police in Ohio have no suspects, just like the police in South Carolina. There's no way of knowing whether the cases in Ohio and South Carolina are related, some kind of copycat situation, or something else entirely.

While police officers from a handful of jurisdictions continue to investigate the South Carolina and Ohio clown sightings, residents are being warned to be on their guard and to keep a close eye on their children.

[Image via Shutterstock]