Masked Men Cause Public Alarm on Friday the 13th

By Jessie Williams

We’ve all heard the unlucky lore behind the Friday the 13th superstition.

But it was last Friday, June 13, that a few unlucky folks had a run-in with two masked men attempting to scare, taunt and alarm Walmart customers and employees.

According to a report filed by Lafayette Patrolman D. Delp, officers were dispatched to the Lafayette Walmart store around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13, following three 911 calls regarding ‘two males walking around with masks on, trying to start fights.’

Walmart had already conducted a lockdown of the store.

Upon the arrival of officers, two males were being escorted to the general merchandise exit by Walmart staff. The men were identified as 18-year-old Corey Taylor Smith, of Westmoreland, and 18-year-old Caleb Jackson Keith Newberry, of Red Boiling Springs.

After investigating, officers learned Smith and Newberry were wearing full face masks with their eyes blacked out and gloves on their hands. Smith was wearing a Friday the 13th t-shirt featuring Jason Voorhees, the main character of the Friday the 13th movie series.

The two men were walking around the store scaring customers and were asked to leave by Walmart employees. They refused, but two male customers were able to get them to leave the store.

Customers reported feeling in fear for their safety and the whole ordeal was terrifying for adults and kids in the store.

Smith and Newberry were placed under arrest at the scene for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. They were transported to the Macon County Jail for booking and given bonds of $3,500.

Because their actions caused a disturbance and public alarm, the two were permanently banned from all stores and property owned by Walmart.

They are both scheduled to appear in general sessions court on July 9, 2025.