Elizabeth LaFleur

elafleur@greenvillenews.com

Reports of clowns trying to lure children into the woods at a Greenville County apartment complex are going viral.

Greenville County deputies say they have increased patrols at Fleetwood Manor Apartments after receiving two complaints about clowns behaving strangely in the area, as well as a report of gunshots.

A resident reported "a suspicious character, dressed in circus clown attire and white face paint, enticing kids to follow him/her into the woods," according to a police report.

Deputies spoke with another resident who said her son reported seeing clowns in the woods whispering and making strange noises, according to the report. The resident also said her oldest son told her he heard chains and banging on the front door of the residence, according to the report.

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Deputies also report receiving a call about gunshots in the area. Neighbors reported the gunshots came from two residents who heard about the clown activity and fired weapons in the direction of the wooded area, according to the report.

Deputies were unable to find anyone matching the suspicious persons' descriptions in the area, according to Drew Pinciaro, spokesman for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

The case is now assigned to a follow-up unit for further investigation. Deputies will provide extra patrols in the area, according to the Sheriff's Office.