3 Tavares students face charges after wearing creepy clown masks at bus stop

TAVARES, Fla. — Frightening clown sightings have been happening in Central Florida, and on Tuesday, three Tavares Middle School students are facing charges for wearing clown masks near a school bus stop.

The incident forced nearby Treadway Elementary School to be placed on lockdown.

School officials are warning parents and students that masks shouldn't be worn to school to scare people, even if it's a joke, and that everyone should be careful about what they share on social media.

"It’s not fun and games. It’s dangerous," said Fred Jones, of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said three seventh-graders, two boys and a girl, were wearing masks while they were waiting at the bus stop outside of the school.

"I’m sure it's a prank, but at the same time, it causes us parents a lot of anxiety, thinking someone is parading around in a clown mask outside of an elementary school," said parent Jerrica Cassidy.

Deputies said the three students were taking pictures and “attempting to download a gun sound app, which would allow them to make gun sounds in conjunction with wearing the masks."

Authorities said passersby saw the incident and reported it.

"It’s not the place to joke about anything like that," said Cassidy.

Investigators said the students got on their bus and made it to school, where deputies were waiting.

"Everybody is, like, thank God that no one took matters into their own hands, especially people that live here. It's right here. Somebody didn't get shot," said parent Cali Maabee.

Creepy clown sightings have been scaring people all over the country, and there have been numerous sightings in Central Florida.

Cox Media Group