Cheney Mason / Winonan

People in clown costumes have been spotted around Winona late at night, making Winona State University students in the area on edge about the situation.

A Winona State student, who wished to remain anonymous, had an experience just outside of his apartment with a clown.

“It was Wednesday [Oct. 5], and I was on my way home, so I guess 9 p.m. I saw it about a block or two from my apartment on Belleview Street,” the student said. “It was dark, and there are not many street lamps on the street. But [the clown] was wearing a creepy clown mask like the ones you can get at the store.”

Clown sighting photos and videos have been posted on social media within recent weeks, catching people in clown costume standing and watching pedestrians. The events have many residents worried for their safety.

The clowns have been spotted in multiple cities, towns and universities across the U.S.

The student said they were worried for their safety that night when walking home.

“I don’t know if they are doing this because it’s funny, because it’s not,” the student said. “We have events coming up in a couple weeks and people will be out and about at night.”

Another Winona State student had a run-in with a clown while in their vehicle.

Student Kevin Robertson said he and a friend were driving back from an intramural soccer game early Thursday night when they saw two people on bikes.

“They looked like they were wearing clown masks and they had on black hoodies,” Robertson said. “It was on Broadway Street.”

It has not been confirmed if these sightings are merely pranks or if this is a serious cause of concern for officials or Winona State Security.

Winona officials have not yet made a comment in regards to the clown sightings in Winona.

-By Cheney Mason