Police: Clown sighting leads to lockdown at Dyersburg school

DYER COUNTY, Tenn. — Police say a clown sighting near a playground sent a Dyersburg school into lockdown Tuesday afternoon.

Capt. Mark Moody said the Dyersburg Police Department responded around 12:30 p.m. to Dyersburg Intermediate School. He said two teachers reported seeing an unknown adult dressed as a clown in a wooded area near a school playground.

There were four fourth grade classes on the playground at the time of the sighting, according to police. Students were brought inside while officers searched the area.

The teachers told police the person walked back into the woods after being seen.

Police searched the area until around 2 p.m. and did not find anyone.

Investigators interviewed the two teachers individually about the sighting, and they gave the same description of the clown, according to police.

Police say the teachers described the clown as wearing a bright red wig, a red nose and having a white face. They say the person was wearing a yellow t-shirt and dark pants.

The school posted the following status on their Facebook page around 1:50 p.m.:

“September 27, 2016 About 12:30 today, an unknown adult was sighted in the outside tree line of Dyersburg Intermediate School. As a precautionary measure, Police were called. Students were brought back into the school. There was no contact between this individual and anyone at Dyersburg Intermediate School. Police are investigating.”

Those who live in the area say the sighting has them on edge.

“You know, I thought it was a joke until they spotted one today here, and it’s kind of scary,” said Jeanine Johnson who lives in the area.

“I have four kids that live here, so it’s scary. It’s right here close to home,” Angela Benthal said.

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News was not able to reach the school district for comment.