Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
A Clown With A Machete Got Shot At By A Guy Who Was Smoking A Cigarette On His Porch
It's time for more Clown News, y'all.Earlier this month we reported on some of the first creepy clown sightings in Southern California. It was really only a matter of time before the bizarre trend made its way this far west from its origins in South Carolina, a place that spawned another horrible idea.
This whole "clown thing" has been yet another bizarre addition to a very strange year, so we're not necessarily surprised by the nature of the scenario that went down in Santa Clarita this morning; it fits the narrative perfectly.
City News Service reports that a man was smoking a cigarette on his porch in Santa Clarita at about 6:30 this morning when he was approached by a man, about six feet in height, dressed in a "full clown" costume. According to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, the clown was carrying a machete. Not making this up.
According to the sheriff's department, the homeowner fired a warning shot in the air above the clown, prompting him to run away on foot.
But there's a twist! The man who fired the gun was arrested himself, on undisclosed weapons and narcotics charges after police arrived at his house.
Lt. Rob Hahnlein of the SCV Sheriff’s Station told the Signal that this is the "second or third" clown-related incident in the area, and recommended that if a person sees a clown roaming around—machete or not—they should "back away and call us."
Noted!
While most of the sightings have been of harmless pranksters, a couple of teenage clowns were arrested earlier this month for making online threats.
Last week, the Signal wrote that more and more clown sightings had been reported in the area. The article also mentioned that a Facebook group called "SCV Creepy Clown Sightings" was created last week, and is a place where SCV residents can report sightings of their own.
One member wrote that he saw "a clown roaming around on a hover board at the oaks apartments behind Costco" while another wrote that he saw a clown who "had an ax, but the rest I think we're [sic] just pranking. Whatever the case it is weird to see a clown 3 houses away that appears to be appearing out of nowhere." Yeah that definitely would be weird!!
Here's a hot tip from another member of the group, who recommended shooting clowns with paintball guns in lieu of real firearms to "act as a deterrent" before you "pull out your real gun and defend yourself without a warning shot."
Ok, Happy Hallowe'en everyone!
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out.
-
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.