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Someone dumped a dead mackerel at the front of the U.S. Courthouse in Cleveland on Wednesday, and authorities are investigating whether it was a prank or a threat.

(James F. McCarty/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The 3-foot, gutted mackerel at the front door of the U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday appeared to offer a message sent straight from Hollywood.

Federal authorities are investigating who dumped the fish and why: Was it a prank or a threat?

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said a man walked up the steps of the building at 2 p.m. and dropped the fish and walked away. Elliott said his office has a good description, and is investigating.

"We're trying to determine whether an individual was trying to send a message or whether it was something else,'' Elliott said. "We take anything that happens at a federal courthouse seriously.''

A dead fish played a key role in the 1972 movie The Godfather, as one was delivered to the Corleone family following the slaying of thug Luca Brasi. The family was told Brasi "sleeps with the fishes,'' a reference to his strangling by a rival crime family.

U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach declined to comment.

Many in the building didn't know whether it was a joke or a threat. Elliott said his office obtained a photo from a surveillance camera.

"We'll catch this guy, and we'll determine why he did this,'' the marshal said.