Two Seattle teens turned a dangerous “prank” into felony charges when they terrorized innocent women with clown masks and firearms, exposing how social media culture is pushing youth toward criminal behavior that threatens public safety.
Story Snapshot
- 19-year-old man and 17-year-old boy arrested for felony harassment after brandishing guns while wearing clown masks
- Two women fled in terror, fearing abduction during late-night encounter on Aurora Avenue North
- Police recovered clown masks and extended gun magazines from suspects’ vehicle following swift arrest
- Suspects claimed incident was merely a “prank” but face serious criminal charges despite their justification
Dangerous Prank Crosses Criminal Line
Seattle police arrested two teens early Monday morning after they terrorized two women while wearing clown masks and brandishing firearms. The 19-year-old man and 17-year-old boy approached their victims near North 128th Street, with one suspect visibly holding a gun while the other adjusted his waistband. The terrified women fled the scene, believing they were about to be abducted by armed attackers.
Swift Police Response Leads to Arrests
Victims flagged down officers on Aurora Avenue North at 12:20 a.m., providing descriptions that led to quick identification of the suspects. Police located the perpetrators at a nearby fast-food restaurant, where they recovered clown masks and extended gun magazines from their vehicle. The 19-year-old suspect admitted to the incident and even showed police video footage he had recorded, demonstrating the calculated nature of their actions.
Social Media Culture Fuels Dangerous Behavior
This incident reflects a troubling trend where young people risk criminal charges pursuing viral content and online attention. The suspects’ decision to document their harassment on video suggests they intended to share their “prank” on social media platforms. This echoes the 2016 nationwide clown panic, where similar incidents led to school lockdowns and multiple arrests across America, proving that intent doesn’t mitigate criminal liability when public safety is threatened.
Community Safety Concerns Mount
Aurora Avenue North has a documented history of both petty and violent crime, making residents particularly sensitive to threatening behavior involving masks and weapons. The incident has heightened local fears and may impact nighttime business activity in the Bitter Lake neighborhood. Law enforcement experts emphasize that pranks involving weapons create dangerous situations where misunderstandings could lead to tragic outcomes, especially when victims reasonably fear for their lives.
Legal Consequences Await Despite Prank Claims
Both suspects face felony harassment charges, with the adult booked into King County Jail and the minor taken to the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center. Criminal justice professionals stress that claiming an incident was a prank doesn’t eliminate criminal liability when victims experience genuine fear and trauma. The case demonstrates how social media-driven behavior can quickly escalate from poor judgment to serious criminal charges with lasting consequences for young perpetrators.
Sources:
2 clowns arrested after brandishing guns, harassing women on Aurora Ave
