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Walmart Gang Initiation: Shooting Texts a Mass Urban Legend Hoax
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by Tina Kells | March 19, 2009 at 02:21 pm
62255 views | 38 Recommendations | 458 comments
Reports of a text message about a gang initiation stunt requiring the random shooting of people at a Walmart are a hoax. (See the comments stream below for a growing list of people in different parts of the United States and Canada who have received this hoax text)
Please continue to add any reports of text messages received to the comments stream below. This story appears to be a bigger issue than first reported and the fear it is generating is very real. People are texting and messaging loved ones and friends, "don't go to Walmart" and the hoax is testing the limits of viral fear.
Rumors of plans for a Walmart gang initiation shooting spree in Springfield, Kentucky were reported by some local media outlets. Kentucky police immediately responded that they had received no such reports but people remained panicked.
Many people called KY3 News starting about 2:15 p.m. Thursday to say they received this text message on their cellular telephones: "do not go to wal-mart tonight. gang initiation to shoot 3 women. not sure what wal-mart and confirmed on TV."
This message is a hoax. Springfield police know nothing about it. KY3 News did not report it or start the text message.
Snopes.com, which debunks or verifies electronically-spread rumors spread, says this hoax, or a variant of it, has been around since 2005.
More reports of other planned Walmart shootings popped up in other states suggesting the urban legend may be part of a targeted rumor spreading spree. Police in Florida were also dealing with false reports of a gang initiation shooting in an Orange County Walmart store.
The messages claim that either on Wednesday night or Thursday three women and possibly two men would be murdered at a Florida Walmart parking lot as part of a gang initiation
Officials in South Florida said it’s nothing but a rumor that's been going on for years.
On Wednesday evening, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they haven’t heard of the rumor in this area, but then again it’s nothing to worry about.
A spokesperson with Walmart said Wednesday the company is aware of the e-mail.
They told News 13 the security of its employees and customers are a top priority, and even though they believe this is just a rumor, they are taking it seriously and working with local authorities to beef up security measures.
Officials also said the age of technology could be why this rumor is spreading so quickly as people simply forward the email to their friends and family.
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The Walmart shooting hoax is well known to police as an urban legend. The idea of a random shooting spree as a gang initiation first made the rounds in 2005 and continues to pop up from time to time.
Known as the Wal-Martyred hoax it usually includes a text message being sent claiming a woman, child or elderly person will be killed by gang wannabes. The latest incarnation of this urban legend had gang initiates targeting three women in a Walmart shooting spree.
WAL-MARTYRED
Claim: Gang initiates must assault or kill a woman, child or elderly person at a Wal-mart.
FALSE
E-mails circulated, warning of deadly gang initiations involving the killing of women and children who were shopping at Walmart.
But no such slayings were ever reported, Snopes reports.But like the e-mails telling of gang initiations the involve the killing of drivers who flash their headlights at oncoming cars or the dire warnings a couple of years ago how new gang members are knocking on doors and killing whoever answers, the rumor just keeps on trucking.
Over the year, it has circulated with variations and "new" details, as such e-mail hoaxes tend to do.
UPDATES:
The story of the Walmart gang initiation hoax texts continues to deepen. A growing number of reports have surfaced across the United States about various text messages of this nature being received (see comment stream below). It appears that this is a massive shooting hoax that is occurring nationwide.
A comment made to this story suggested a shooting in Chattanooga had happened but further investigation by NowPublic revealed it was also part of the hoax.
Several local law enforcement agencies are reassuring the public that reports of a shooting at a Wal-Mart is nothing but a hoax.
Sergeant Jerri Weary with Chattanooga Police says her department received several phone calls reporting a text message about a shooting at the Hamilton Place Wal-Mart as part of a gang initiation. Sgt Weary said it's nothing but a hoax that's been reported in several states but has not proved to be valid. She says the text warning was sent out Wednesday advising people to stay away from Wal-Mart because people would be shot and killed. Sgt Weary emphasized there have been no reported incidents at any of the Chattanooga area Wal-Marts.
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at 17:38 on March 19th, 2009
Not saying this to be mean but it's funny how people who enjoy forwards on cell phones fall for this kind of junk. It's the same as the crap that gets sent around in emails. Forwards are simply bad to be a part of because of either silly hoaxes like this and or viruses/spyware and the fact that your email address/cell number is attatched to everyone of those forwards that get sent out.
You people should be more worried about your email address or cell number getting into the wrong hands when you accept and send out forards than worried about a "gang" initiation at a Wal Mart.
Put an end to the FW: altogether.......Stop accepting them and certainly stop sending them!!!
Just some advice from a computer tech!
Cheers,
Jason
at 16:44 on March 19th, 2009
I just got the same text message... and I live in Henderson, NV. It definitely must be going around!
at 18:13 on March 19th, 2009
It is the viral effect of technology. Scary stuff with things like this.
at 17:16 on March 19th, 2009
I recieved the same text from three of my friends....I live in Seattle, WA. It is definitely a hoax!
at 17:21 on March 19th, 2009
same in Honolulu, Hawaii .
wondering... how did it travel from state to state VERY fast. if its so called 'true' wouldn't people just send it others who live there and not completely somewhere else, and the stories are somewhat alike. WEIRD to the fullest. people, should just stop with the act, and stop making false stories. but people should still be careful.
at 17:41 on March 19th, 2009
I found this and thought you may find it interesting, apparently Chatanooga is safe and the reports of a shooting there are also a confirmed hoax.
Source: wrcbtv.com
at 17:48 on March 19th, 2009
In regards to this text that people say it's a hoax, Seriously the people are starting this need to be found and punished. Look at what happened with the twin towers people. Instead of laughing about it, there should be something done about it.
at 18:04 on March 19th, 2009
I got the same text message today as well and I live in Arkansas. I also got a text message from a friend that said they saw on the news that a woman had been shot in Walmart in Little Rock and Pine Bluff. In disbelief I stumbled upon many sites that said this was a hoax and no news reports from little rock nor pine bluff stating that there had been a shooting at the local walmart.
March 19,2009...Tyler
at 18:06 on March 19th, 2009
I also have looked for info and have found nothing about a shooting in either of those locations.
at 18:49 on March 19th, 2009
The hoax seems to have originated in Arkansas; ironically, the state, in which Wal-mart HQ is located. Here is the link to MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29774009/
at 20:53 on March 19th, 2009
I received this text today after my lunch break. Looks like it made it to 90210!
at 21:10 on March 19th, 2009
I recieved approximately 10 text messeges today saying this also!! I live in Lincoln Nebraska and I think it is sad that someone has to start rumors of this sort and get the country in a state of panic!!! I do think we should take it seriously though because in this day and age anything can happen! The police should as well!!!
at 21:13 on March 19th, 2009
I recieved approximately 10 text messeges today saying this also!! I live in Lincoln Nebraska and I think it is sad that someone has to start rumors of this sort and get the country in a state of panic!!! I do think we should take it seriously though because in this day and age anything can happen! The police should as well!!!
at 22:24 on March 19th, 2009
I got that text and sent it to everyone! I feel retarted! Ugh. Oh yeah I live in Alaska
at 23:10 on March 19th, 2009
I live in riverside, ca and heard people talking about it at work. Then while at home received a text stating they were gonna like 3 women, 3 men, and 3 childern. I'm so glad its just a hoax.
at 23:31 on March 19th, 2009
your not that far from me. I stay in san bernardino, ca.
at 03:33 on March 20th, 2009
I'm in Arizona and I received this text twice. I didn't forward it because I have a habit of googling claims like this... More people should learn how to do that.
at 04:20 on March 20th, 2009
Yeah
My friends and I all recieved this message after softball practice
i live in northern illinois
at 04:36 on March 20th, 2009
I got a forwarded text that a gang planned on shooting 3 woman at an unknown Walmart and that it was true because they heard about it from the news and to forward the text to all of the girls on my phone.
at 06:25 on March 20th, 2009
Yes City of Denver and surrounding cities all had an alert out till they found out it was ahoax on March 18th, 2009
at 06:54 on March 20th, 2009
this is ridiculous, It even happened at Charles Town Walmart in WV. My daughter works there and was in a panic. I think the idiots that start this crap should have charges pressed against them. I must say the police force here took no chances and were at the Walmart. My hat's off to them.
at 07:31 on March 20th, 2009
I live in Texas and received it. I fear that the attention it is getting that some kids might act on it. I really wish it would stop for we should not have to walk on eggshells and looking over our shoulders due to rumors or scare tatics. This is how other countries live in fear and we should not overlook the price we paid to earn the freedom our country has. But yet someone puts out a hoax that may lead to an idea and now we must live in fear due to the hoax's, jokes and senseless acts. *sigh* it is sadden to worry how my kids will see the world as they get older.
at 11:27 on March 20th, 2009
I got the same text yesterday
at 13:58 on March 20th, 2009
i got it yesterday... So did a bunch of my friends I live in North Vernon, Indiana
at 20:52 on March 20th, 2009
Wow a gangster making his chops or whiskers by shooting unarmed women at radom at the Walmart. Might as well shoot puppys at the SPCA. Most gangs have more enemys and are formed to bring in money and protect each other. So an initiate would do something to protect the gang or bring in money, not shoot people radomly so they could put everyone at risk for conspiracy. So go shop at walmart and flash your light at the person who has their highbeams on. Gangsters got better things to do than to shoot puppys or fish in a barrell. I'm sure they want to end up in prison saying , yeah that was me shooting grandma at the Walmart.
at 17:07 on March 19th, 2009
Let me say this...there are cops at every walmart in the Northern VA area. And since it has been said to be a hoax then y wouldnt a gang do it because they think no one will be there to stop them becasue it is a "HOAX." so just to be safe stay away from walmart. Also I have friends that talked to the police at walmart in this area and thye are taking it serious. Also there are 6 ppl the cops are looking for in Stafford, VA becasue it did happen. SO IF U WOULD LIKE TO LIVE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY!!
at 17:07 on March 19th, 2009
I just got the text too in Eugene, OR. WOW! it does really take 4 years for information to travel from east coast to west coast. LOL!
at 17:11 on March 19th, 2009
Me too. My text said 20 women...and I live in CA.
at 17:12 on March 19th, 2009
FROM HAWAII - got the same text message. Wondering... how did it get all the way down here?
at 17:17 on March 19th, 2009
ya i just got it. Way out here in Riverside, California. Wow.
I mean, I'm taking it seriously, but i'm pretty sure its
just a dumb hoax, like seriously. No worries