Authorities in Springfield, Ohio evacuated city hall and other buildings including an elementary school after receiving a bomb threat. The motive is unclear, but it comes as former President Trump floats baseless claims about immigrants abusing pets in the city. @Yamiche reports. pic.twitter.com/VpOLIntjlu
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) September 12, 2024
Springfield City Hall, schools, county hit by bomb threat tied to Haitian issues
Several city, county and school buildings around Springfield were closed Thursday because of a bomb threat “to multiple facilities throughout Springfield,” according to a city statement released Thursday morning. Springfield City Hall was evacuated around 8:30 a.m.
Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott said at a Thursday afternoon press conference that City Hall, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Springfield Driver’s Exam Station, Ohio License Bureau on the south side, Springfield Academy of Excellence and Fulton Elementary School were all named in the threat and were cleared using explosive-detecting canines.
“I would like to stress that we are deeply committed to the safety of our entire community,” Elliott said. “Safety is a shared responsibility and it takes all of us; I encourage the public, if you see something, say something.”
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said everyone who was in the City Hall building was moved out and is safe. Rue would not comment on the precise language of the threat but said it came from someone claiming to be from Springfield, and mentioned frustration with the city related to Haitian immigration issues.
Karen Graves, strategic engagement manager for the city of Springfield, confirmed that City Hall remained closed all day Thursday. City Hall’s Utility Billing office will reopen Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. For other inquiries or business, call the city at either 937-324-7341, 937-324-7300 or 937-525-5800.
All Clark County buildings were also closed to the public Thursday, “out of an abundance of caution,” which includes all commission departments, the Department of Job and Family Services, the Common Pleas Court, the Board of Elections and the A.B. Graham Building, according to a statement released at 11:45 a.m. The county said it would update the public with more closures “as they become available.”
By 9:25 a.m., close to a dozen police vehicles were surrounding the building, and numerous officers were standing on the plaza. The police vehicles included two from Dayton that were K-9 units.
AC
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