Bomb Threats Force Second Day of School Closures in Springfield, Ohio Amid False Claims About Haitian Immigrants

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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — For the second consecutive day, bomb threats have forced the closure of schools and municipal buildings in Springfield, Ohio. On Friday, public schools were evacuated as authorities responded to a wave of threats that have brought national attention to the city, which has been the target of baseless claims aimed at its Haitian immigrant population.

The Springfield City School District took immediate action, evacuating students at Perrin Woods and Snowhill Elementary Schools to a secure district location. The closures included Roosevelt Middle School, which had already been shut down prior to the start of the school day based on information received from the Springfield Police Department, according to district spokesperson Jenna Leinasars.

The situation has caused significant disruption for students, parents, and educators, and comes on the heels of a similar closure the previous day. Along with the schools, several city officials were also targeted. Springfield City spokesperson Karen Graves confirmed that an emailed bomb threat was sent to several city commissioners and a municipal employee, prompting evacuations of city buildings.

A second threat, also sent by email, warned of bombs at multiple locations, including Springfield City Hall, Cliff Park High School, Perrin Woods Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Ohio License Bureau Southside. All affected buildings were evacuated as a precaution, Graves said in a statement.

Authorities, with the help of explosive detection canines, inspected the buildings targeted by the threats. “Authorities have conducted thorough inspections and cleared the facilities listed in the threats,” Graves stated. Local police, with the support of FBI agents based in Dayton, are investigating the origin of the threatening emails, she added.

Springfield, located just west of Columbus, has found itself at the center of a national political storm in recent weeks. False rumors have circulated on social media claiming that Haitian immigrants in the area have been involved in bizarre activities, including stealing and eating household pets. These baseless claims have been amplified by political figures, including former President Donald Trump, who repeated them during public speeches.

City officials and police have forcefully debunked these claims, stating that there is no credible evidence to support the allegations against the Haitian community. The spread of misinformation has nonetheless stoked tensions in Springfield, a city that has seen an influx of Haitian immigrants in recent years.

City leaders have been working to quell fears and maintain order in the face of these false rumors. Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott called the accusations “completely unfounded” and condemned those who have spread such misinformation. “We want to assure the public that there is no truth to these claims. They are dangerous and harmful to our community,” Elliott said during a press conference earlier this week.

The bomb threats have only exacerbated the already tense situation in the city. Local leaders are urging residents to remain calm and to rely on verified information from official sources. Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland expressed his concern over the threats, saying, “We will not allow fear and lies to dictate how we operate as a community. We will continue to stand with all of our residents, including our Haitian neighbors, against hatred and misinformation.”

As authorities continue their investigation, the city remains on high alert. Schools and public buildings are expected to reopen only after a full assessment of safety can be guaranteed. Meanwhile, Springfield’s Haitian community has expressed concern over the growing hostility fueled by false narratives, but local advocacy groups are working to provide support and reassurance during this difficult time.