WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsWal-Mart Officials Respond to Texting Hoax

Wal-Mart Officials Respond to Texting Hoax

UPDATE 1:45PM FRIDAY

DALTON (WRCB) -- Dalton police say they too are chasing down warnings of a gang initiation at a local Wal-Mart, determining that this is also a texting hoax.

Dalton police spokesperson Bruce Frazier issued this statement.

Text messages warning of possible violent gang initiations in Dalton have been determined to be hoaxes.  Similar text messages have been sent and received all across the state, including Thomasville and Valdosta. 

One set of warnings said that the initiations would take place at Dalton-area Wal-Marts on March 19^th, with gang members shooting random people to earn their initiation. The Dalton Police Department received several calls about these warnings. After investigating, these warnings have been determined to be hoaxes.  However, the Dalton Police Department is remaining vigilant and continues to watch for any signs of gang activity. 

UPDATE 1:30PM FRIDAY

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Wal-Mart officials issued this statement to Eyewitness News on the texting hoax...

"The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority. We are aware of the message being circulated and are working with local authorities to enhance our security efforts at our stores in the area. While we take these types of situation seriously, we regard this as being only a rumor, much like similar rumors that have circulated via e-mail in previous years," Wal-Mart said in their statement.

THURSDAY

CHATTANOOGA/BRADLEY COUNTY (WRCB) -- 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.

 Bob Gault with the Bradley County Sheriff's Department said his office got a number of calls Thursday afternoon about a text message that is circulating through the community regarding a gang initiation at an area WalMart store.

Gault also said that according to NLETS or the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System similar calls have been reported by law enforcement offices across the country.  The text message origin is unknown and it's believed to be a hoax.