Threats were sparked late Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh, with passers-by going to celebrate Halloween finding a severed head in the middle of the road, with a group of men –maybe– picking it up thinking it was decorative because of the holiday.

According to British media reports, police immediately blocked off the surrounding streets and asked pub owners to ask people to leave and close their shops while investigations into the incident were carried out. Two tents were immediately set up at different parts of the same street, with forensics collecting evidence and witnesses.

Shortly afterward, Scottish authorities announced the death of a 74-year-old pensioner, with the cause of death being caused by being hit by a bus, with people were unconvinced as to why and expressed concern for the safety of the area. In particular, police said it was an “isolated” incident.

Speaking of the horror moments, a woman who was in the area at the time said: “We were at Bannerman’s for drinks. There was a band playing in the background. And then the announcement was made. We didn’t hear because it was very noisy, but when we finished our drinks and wanted to leave, a staff person stopped us and asked us if we heard the police were outside because there was a severed head found in Cowgate.

I almost laughed because it was Halloween weekend and I thought it was a hoax, but we went to the bar and the staff told us it was true. We were told that the police had ordered the pub closed. I saw three police cars and five police officers in a silver tent. They closed the whole area. It was a very surreal scene.”

At the same time, Police spokesmen are asking social media users to stop reposting the video and photos depicting the severed head (although they have not confirmed they found and recovered it) in respect for the 74-year-old’s family.

“We are aware of the videos and photos, which are causing grief to the family of the deceased and those who inadvertently view them. We would like to ask people not to share them as a mark of respect to his family, but also to report them to prevent their further dissemination. There are many rumours and I would like to reassure the local community that this was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.

It was a tragic incident. We are investigating a motoring incident and road policing officers in conjunction with local police officers are continuing to ask questions. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police,” Chief Inspector Trisha Clark specifically said.