Cops warn of "gang initiation" hoax

Police and sheriff's officials in the Whittier area have been inundated with calls from people concerned about a rumor of impending gang initiation killings.

The rumor states that, as part of a gang initiation, three women will be killed at various area Walmart stores. According to officials in both agencies, the rumor is a hoax.

Nonetheless, officials have alerted the stores and advised employees and customers to be vigilant and on the lookout for gang members milling about.

Officials at both the sheriff's Norwalk Station and the Whittier Police Department reported receiving calls from worried citizens.

Here's an entry of the Whittier Police News and Information Blog:

Rumored Gang Initiation Proves False 

Whittier PD has received numerous calls surrounding texts and emails claiming that ".... at Wal-Mart tonight there is talk of a gang initiation where gang members have to kill 3 women at each Wal-Mart..."

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has recently released a teletype about this same email/text message stating that it's a hoax.