Springfield, Ohio, schools reopened Tuesday after being closed Monday due to bomb threats targeting Haitian residents, authorities said. The threats prompted a widespread safety concern that led to the closure of the downtown area and the early dismissal of students.
The threats, received by Clark County offices around 7:45 a.m. On February 9th, specifically called for the removal of Haitian individuals, according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Obtain rid of the Haitians,” DeWine quoted the threats as saying during a press conference. Suspicious packages were also discovered outside the municipal court and public safety building in downtown Springfield, triggering a response from the Dayton Police Bomb Squad.
Clark County Sheriff Chris Clark stated that a thorough search of the downtown area by the bomb squad revealed “no substantiated threats.” The Sheriff’s Office indicated the threats likely originated from “overseas actors,” but the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the FBI’s Cincinnati office. The FBI confirmed it is investigating “hoax threats” not only in Springfield but also in the Columbus area and central Ohio, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions as federal crimes.
Springfield City Schools dismissed students Monday morning as a precautionary measure. A child care center operated by Covenant Presbyterian Church was also evacuated. Downtown streets were reopened just before 1 p.m. Monday, with city officials declaring no ongoing threat to public safety. The Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce in Columbus also received similar emailed threats, which authorities determined were not credible, and neither building was evacuated.
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue acknowledged the community’s concern, stating that the situation was being handled with “the highest level of caution.” He affirmed that, at the time of his statement, there was “no immediate or credible threat to the public.” The FBI’s Cincinnati office released a statement saying it is working with local, state, and federal partners to gather and assess threat information.
The investigation into the source of the threats is continuing, with the FBI and Dayton Police Bomb Squad actively involved. No further details regarding the nature of the “suspicious packages” have been released.
