On the night of Friday, Oct.1, around 8:50 p.m., Ypsi the Klown was spotted by a student right outside of Wise Hall in the parking lot.

"Have you seen Ypsi the Klown?” EMU students have reported seeing this question written all over campus in chalk. Each has a miniature drawing of the clown’s face next to it. In addition to that, people in Pittman, Sellers, and Walton hall, have all received the same message printed on a piece of paper. That paper was slid underneath the doors of multiple dorm rooms by an unknown person, causing a stir of confusion and fear among students.

Who is he? Everyone wonders, but nobody knows. 

The clown has been around for over 20 years, according to Officer Patrick Mcgill of the EMU Police Department. The clown wears a yellow and black striped, starred costume, with a long gas mask that hangs down his face, Mcgill said.

The last known sighting was nine years ago, or so police thought. Ypsi the Klown reappeared the weekend of Sept. 25.

Brenden Anthony, a senior at EMU, says students shouldn’t be scared of the clown. The last time Anthony had seen or heard about him was his freshman year.

Typically, Ypsi the Klown is seen coming up to people and asking to take a picture with them, Anthony said.

EMU student Sheila Marrero took a picture with the supposed Ypsi the Klown on Friday, Oct. 1, on a night when the clown was seen walking around.

"I feel like there’s more than one person going around doing all this stuff,“ EMU freshman Victoria Fabela said.

Fabela believes there are a couple of different clowns out that may seem scary from a distance, but are nice and friendly up close.

The markings on the walls, the papers being slid under doors, and the posters being hung up on billboards are too much work to do alone, Fabela said. She also believes the drawings are just a Halloween gag to attract people to a “funhouse” with no known location, she said.

Who is continuing the legacy of Ypsi the Klown? Are there multiple different students teaming up to bring him back to life this Halloween? Whatever the case may be, just know that he — or they — are back and ready now more than ever to scare or befriend the Ypsilanti community this year.

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