An e-mail and text message warning that women at Walmarts across the country are at risk sparked concern locally today.
Although The Gazette has not received the e-mail, a check of reputable Web sites indicates that what is circulating is a variation of a message that began in 2005.
According to urbanlegends.about.com, one version of the text circulating reads, "FWD: Police are asking all women not to go to any Walmart tonight there is a gang initiation and three women will be shot this is not a joke pls foward."
Snopes.com says the supposed killings will take place in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia or Washington.
The e-mail and texts often contain an introduction that indicates the author has heard of this from someone in law enforcement.
According to Snopes, the rumors began in Memphis in 2005.
For more, see these Web sites: www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/walmart.asp and http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2009/03/18/police-walmart-gang-initation-rumors-are-false.htm.
louwho (anonymous) says...
I got that text today. A bit freaky!
March 19, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
That is disappointing. It took me nearly an hour to convince my wife and mother-in-law to make a run to Wal-Mart tonight.
Oh well. They are still considering my idea for them to take a long weekend trip to Juarez.
March 19, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rami (anonymous) says...
I recieved that text today but I know there are so many fake things floating around text and email I just ignored it. On the upside, I guess it is nice to know that I have family and friends that care enough to share it with me. :)
March 19, 2009 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnDoe (anonymous) says...
If it says "FWD" or anything expressing urgency through all-caps subject lines, disregard it. Has any of it ever come true? As for this one, Walmart sucks anyway
March 19, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stevenlk (anonymous) says...
i dont think there are still even gangs in emporia anymore' just some hoodlums haha' all the txt fwds are all bogus anyawys'
March 20, 2009 at 2:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Yes there area gangs in Emporia. I doubt they'd shoot random people at Walmart, though. The big thing when I was in high school many many moons ago, was that Satanists were looking for blonde women to sacrifice. It's always something.
March 20, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
The rumor I heard circulating around is that anyone in town with an original thought is subject to being smoked and paintballed in front of the courthouse!
March 20, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EsqEB (anonymous) says...
Justthefacts,
They cannot be smoked, there are ordinances against that.
March 20, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )