MADISON, Wis. — Hypodermic needles everywhere.

That’s what Mike C. said he saw on State Street Thursday afternoon.

His first reaction: “What’s going on?”

Mike wasn’t alone in his confusion.

Madison police said they received a number of calls from people on Thursday who either found or watched a man drop needles on the ground. One witness specifically told dispatch they heard the man saying “You are all going to die” while tossing them.

“It might be someone’s sense of a joke or something, but it can be a serious issue out this way,” Mike said.

Officers were out patrolling the area and making sure no other needles were found on the ground on Friday. Police are currently reviewing city cameras in hopes of being able to identify the suspect.

They also shared that there is probable cause to arrest one person but that arrest has not been made yet. The person who did this could face charges for recklessly endangering safety and making terrorist threats.

“Whoever did it, it’s actually a very serious issue and not a good prank,” Mike said.

Public Health Madison & Dane County shared some advice for anyone who may come across these or other needles and want to help pick them up:

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