Springfield, Ohio, has experienced a series of bomb threats targeting hospitals, elementary schools, government buildings, and other locations. The recent influx of Haitian residents in the city has led to heightened national attention and increased tension among the community. Two hospitals were forced into lockdown on Saturday, while several city commissioners and a municipal employee also received bomb threats via email.
The targeted institutions include Kettering Health Springfield and Mercy Health-Springfield Regional Medical Center, as well as two elementary schools that were evacuated on Friday. A middle school shuttered prior to the start of the school day due to bomb threats. The safety protocols implemented by these institutions allowed for a quick response in collaboration with local law enforcement to investigate the credibility of the threats and ensure the safety of staff and patients.
The origin of the emails containing bomb threats is currently under investigation by local police and FBI agents based in Dayton. Springfield city officials have emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of each person in the community, despite recent challenges.
This series of events has been further amplified by former President Donald Trump’s comments during a presidential debate that Haitian migrants were abducting and eating pets in Springfield. However, local officials have denied these claims, stating that there are no credible reports of pets being harmed or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. The woman who initially spread the rumor on Facebook expressed regret for her actions and apologized to the Haitian community, acknowledging that she never intended to cause harm.
