A teenager on Colorado’s Western Slope was arrested Monday after allegedly joining in the “Cat in the Hat” trend circulating social media, including TikTok, police said.
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The teen’s post, brought to the attention of the Grand Junction Police Department on Friday, implied someone dressed as the “Cat in the Hat” would appear at a local middle school and random homes, investigators said in a news release. The Grand Junction High School student’s post was not shared publicly by police.
“The posts are intended to cause alarm and fear in individuals,” police said of the viral trend.
Police determined there was “no credible threat,” but on Monday arrested the 14-year-old who posted the meme on suspicion of interference with staff, faculty or students of educational institutions, according to the release.
A quick scroll through TikTok showed numerous videos of people dressed as the tall, black-and-white cat standing outside of windows and in driveways, or walking down empty streets. Many of the images and videos appear to be AI-generated.
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The trend appears reminiscent of 2016’s “killer clown” trend, where people dressed as clowns in public spaces to scare bystanders and ominous social media posts warned of the bloodthirsty clowns coming to attack towns or schools. Jeffco Public Schools and Adams 12 Five Star Schools both received similar threats at the time.
Two students were arrested in Greeley after posting claims that killer clowns would carry out shootings on Halloween night in 2016. Prosecutors at that time said anyone involved in the trend could be charged with the same charge the Grand Junction teenager faces.
Jeffco Public Schools officials on Monday said district officials are aware of the trend but have not heard any reports of concerns at Jeffco schools. Denver Public Schools spokesperson Scott Pribble said he was not aware of any reports of the trend in the district.
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