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Clown Accused of Chasing Teen With Knife Says It Was a 'Misunderstanding'

By  Emily Frost Trevor Kapp and Patrick Hedlund | October 14, 2016 1:26pm | Updated on October 17, 2016 8:54am

 Thomas Smith, 53, called the entire incident a
Thomas Smith, 53, called the entire incident a "mistake" while speaking outside his Hamilton Heights apartment on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016.
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DNAinfo/Emily Frost (at left); NYPD (at right)

HAMILTON HEIGHTS — The clown accused of terrifying a teen on the subway by chasing him with a knife called the entire incident a "misunderstanding" — claiming he never even had a blade and that he only wants to bring "happiness and laughter" to the world. 

Thomas Smith, 53, turned himself in to police Thursday night after donning clown garb and chasing a 16-year-old boy off a 6 train on the Upper East Side holding a kitchen knife, authorities said. 

"It was a mistake," he said Friday while leaving his Hamilton Heights apartment with a suitcase and garment bag in tow. “It was a misunderstanding. I’m mystified myself.”

Smith, who was charged with menacing and issued a desk-appearance ticket before being released from custody, denied having a knife but didn't elaborate further on what took place.

"The police are doing their investigation," he said. “It was very upsetting to me.”

Smith described himself as a professional and called the recent rash of creepy clown sightings around the world "awful."

"It’s hurting legitimate professionals... who are bringing happiness and laughter and giving people a break," he said.

"It’s a shame people go around and do these kinds of stunts."