Prosecutor: 'Juggalos' behind park attacks

TACOMA, Wash. - Five young people who prosecutors believe are fans of Insane Clown Posse face felony charges in a series of violent attacks in a suburban park, and authorities have warrants for several more people, a prosecutor said.

The attacks at Fort Steilacoom Park over two nights began with the assailants calling to each other — "Woo! Woo! Juggalo!" — said Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Phil Sorenson.

Fans of the rap/hip hop group, which began in Detroit in 1990, call themselves "Juggalos." While some Juggalos wear black-and-white clown makeup, it appears none of those involved in the attacks did so, Sorenson said. He said their a lot of their clothing "actually has clowns on it, some kind of clown insignia."

Insane Clown Posse jewelry features a laughing clown with a meat cleaver. The group's albums include "Carnival of Carnage" and "Terror Wheel."

The attackers, carrying hatchets and machetes, beat and robbed people in the park on the nights of June 19 and June 20 and threatened some with decapitation, according to court records. Some victims went to the hospital with injuries, including a broken jaw and broken nose.

Officers executing a search warrant at a residence found white powder later determined to be methamphetamine. Search warrants were executed at three south Tacoma residences, Sorenson said.

Those in custody range from 18 to 29, he said. They were charged with various counts of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault. The five have pleaded not guilty.

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