LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Lincoln high school student has caused widespread panic by peering into a classroom wearing a clown mask.

Seven students who were connected to the prank at Lincoln Southwest High School on Thursday have been cited with disturbing the peace.

Lincoln Police Capt. Don Scheinost says the incident contributed to the hysteria about clowns’ presence in the city and country in the weeks before Halloween.

A video taken of the student in the mask circulated on social media, disturbing other students and disrupting classes throughout the day.

Scheinost says none of the seven juveniles were arrested, but their cases have been referred to the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.