Reactions To ‘PRANK’ Incident at Five Below

JACKSON, Tenn. —  In Continuing Coverage to a story we first brought to you Monday night at 10, we have reactions from the community following reports of an armed individual running into a north Jackson store.

It has the community asking questions around safety, protocol, and law enforcement policy here in the Hub City.

We’re following up on reports of what investigators say was a prank at the Five Below store. Reports indicated an armed individual ran into the store on Stonebrook Place Monday. According to JPD officials, when officers arrived they investigated the incident and made contact with the clerk, store manager, and three juveniles on the scene.

After investigating, no firearm was located. JPD tells us the prank involved the three juveniles and the store clerk. Our crew visited Five Below to speak with a few managers, and some employees that did confirm it was a prank, and declined further comment. Now, we’re hearing thoughts from the community. We’re trying to figure out the course of action. How they should be held accountable?

“First off I mean….On my thoughts on that in general… As a prank I hope it was just a prank. I hope it wasn’t leading to anything even more serious. A lot of gun violence is going around anyway. There’s a lot of stuff going on in general. I definitely believe that should not even happen, but overall should have been dealt with,” said Houston Elliot, a Jackson resident.

Most say that they should receive community service hours, or something to hold them accountable; so it doesn’t happen at another store.

“I think law enforcement have a lot of other things that they need to worry about and patrol areas other than dealing with a prank. They should serve community service in some kind of way,” said Lisa Calo, a local shopper.

JPD tells us there were no charges filed on the individuals involved in the prank.

“They got away Scot free, and I hope that they at least got a firm conversation because you know that’s not right. All I can really say is that I hope they deal with it correctly. I hope that they deal with it how it’s supposed to be dealt with for whatever they have done,” said Elliot.

“I think that the adult should be ashamed of themselves. Yeah they should be responsible because they’re with minors,” said Calo.

It’s illegal to call in a false police report of an armed individual in the state of Tennessee. According to T.C.A. Code 39-16-502, filing a false report could result in a Class C felony. Jackson police said there was no threat to the public.

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