Person in Clown Mask Chases Boy With a Knife in Columbus

Police in Columbus, Ohio, are monitoring a bus stop in the north of the city after a 14-year-old boy claimed that he was chased by a person wearing a clown mask and carrying a knife.

The student was headed to a bus stop on his way to Columbus North International School on Tuesday morning, when he saw what he described as a tall man dressed in black and wearing a clown mask, who chased him with a knife. The boy said that he threw rocks at the assailant and fled to the bus stop.

Residents of the neighborhood are extremely concerned over the incident.

"It goes to show things crazy and stupid can happen everywhere." said Tombi Williams, a mother of two, cited by NBC4i.

Many parents are worried that their kids will not be aware of their surroundings because they are staring into a smartphone or playing games, including the infamous Pokemon GO.

Although whole incident could have been a prank, Columbus police said that they would not take any chances, as a weapon was displayed.

"We don't expect it during the early morning hours when people are going to work or school, so is there a concern there," said Sgt. Rich Weiner with the Columbus police. "We will have units in the area patrolling to make sure that this does not occur again."

The school district's security personnel and police stated that they intend to monitor the area where the clown was seen.

The incident comes just days after it was reported that people dressed as clowns attempted to lure children into the woods in South Carolina.