A Florida sheriff's office is warning anyone who is considering dressing up as an "evil clown" and "considering creepy clown activity" after a scary incident involving a child.
This week the Volusia County Sheriff's Office posted on their Facebook page that they "will not be there to save you if your intended target defends himself or herself, and you may face other penalties as well."
The department said on Oct. 13 an 11-year-old was riding his bicycle in Deltona, Fla., when a clown, weighing 230 pounds, jumped out from behind a light pole and bushes and attempted to grab the child.
No physical contact was made by the clown, but the boy said he was scared the clown was going to hit him. Out of self-defense, the child grabbed his metal "selfie stick" and hit the clown multiple times.
The child later told a deputy that the clown began to chase him for a short distance, then tripped and fell to the ground. The clown then went back into the bushes and out of sight.
The boy later rode his bike to school and notified a school crossing guard and various teachers.