walmart gang initiation

A internet hoax dating back to 2005 has caused drama in Thomasville, Georgia including media coverage and public warnings.

The “Walmart gang initiation” hoax takes several forms, but usually involves gang members planning to kill black women at a local Walmart as an initiation for new gang members.

Being incapable of using Google, WCTV followed up a copy of the email with calls to local and state police. Turns out that local police also had the email and were incapable of using Google, because they put out and alert and increased patrols. The gang task force took a strong interest and went on high alert for a possible shooting. Your taxpayer dollars at work.

Here in Southern California, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department alerted deputies in a countywide general broadcast that Internet-based rumors concerning a possible gang initiation in which women are indiscriminately selected to be killed outside Walmarts have no credibility, said Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez.

"We take everything very seriously until we can evaluate what the issue is," he said.

After receiving information from Murrieta police indicating the e-mail messages were part of an urban myth started four years ago, the sheriff's department made sure personnel knew in case any calls came in on the subject, Gutierrez said.

Police agencies in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Texas have received calls from concerned citizens. Delaware State Police apparently were inundated with calls.

The threatening emails were first circulated in the Memphis area in 2005, according to Snopes.com , a Web site that tracks urban legends.

There are also reports on the email circulating in other parts of the United States. Here’s the only thing you need to know: it’s a 100% proven hoax.