In October 2014, armed clowns terrified residents in Washington DC, Wasco and Bakersfield, California. The sightings began after a Wasco couple posted photos of themselves in creepy clown costumes as part of a year-long art project, but the photos went viral, and copycats followed suit.

“We’ve been having sightings all over the city,” Bakersfield police watch commander Lt. Jason Matson told Reuters at the time. “They range anywhere from a guy carrying a gun to a guy carrying a knife running up to houses.”

One teen was arrested for chasing a minor while dressed as a clown, but no other pranksters were caught. Various Twitter and Instagram accounts from the time, including a Facebook fan page, posted images claiming to be the creepy clowns. They’ve all since been deactivated, except for one.

In 2013, Northampton, England, had a similarly creepy experience when a clown similar to Stephen King’s Pennywise stalked the town’s streets.