Gang Initiation Rumor

[Towntalk]

This hoax is going on in many cities across the country:

Walmart gang initiation shooting rumors sweep US, Walmart ups security

The Walmart gang initiation hoax we reported on earlier this week has taken America by storm, with police in numerous states investigating, and Walmart stepping up security.

Initially we reported that the rumor had swept Georgia and Florida. We can now confirm that police in Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas have also been involved in investigating the hoax. Search traffic to The Inquisitr indicates that the rumor has also done the rounds in Ohio and New York state.

One notable thing about the rumors is that they are often being customized by location, so that in at least some cases, local towns and cities are named as the location of the hoax Walmart shooting to come.
Walmart officials in Arkansas told local media that they are stepping up security as a precaution.

The hoax dates to 2005, although the current outbreak is the biggest in the history of the hoax. What's remarkable is that a slew of mainstream media sites are incapable of using Google to confirm that fact, instead asking local police to disprove it.

[irishbobcat]

It's a hoax: Potential gang initiation shooting of random women at Wal-Mart
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By Lori Monsewicz
CantonRep.com staff report
Posted Mar 19, 2009 @ 11:08 AM
Last update Mar 19, 2009 @ 08:23 PM

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CANTON — Detectives were watching two Canton stores Wednesday night after receiving a call that someone would be shot in a gang-related incident.

Police continue to investigate text messages circulating in the community warning of random shootings at a local Wal-Mart as part of a gang initiation, Chief Dean McKimm said.

He said police believe the messages to be a hoax but were treating  them with "precautionary measures."

Snopes.com, a Web site that investigates whether rumors are based on fact or urban myth, listed the threats as false.

Additionally, McKimm said, Sprint cell phone company representatives have told detectives that similar text messages have been sent across the country.

"I can tell you that we are aware of the messages being circulated, and the safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority," said Kelly Cheeseman, spokesperson for Wal-Mart in the company's Bentonville, Ark. Headquarters.

"We are working with local authorities to enhance our security efforts in the area," she said. "While we take these types of situations seriously, we regard this as being only a rumor, much like similar rumors that have circulated via e-mail in previous years."

McKimm said the rumors do not target any specific store.

Lt. James Cole, who heads McKimm's Vice Unit and Gang Task Force, said he was alerted Wednesday night after a phone call came into the police radio dispatch center. The caller mentioned a gang shooting at Wal-Mart but provided no details.

"Nothing could be substantiated," Cole said.

Detectives conducted surveillance there, but nothing happened.

Still, police asked that anyone with information to call them at the police department at (330) 649-5800.

[jay]

Some citizens have heard a rumor that a gang initiation will take place in Boardman.  Police claim to be watching the situation.