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The serene community of Bath Township, Ohio, was abruptly shattered when gunfire erupted during a birthday celebration at a large rental home, leaving a chaotic scene filled with frightened teenagers. Emergency calls from that harrowing night paint a vivid picture of the terror and confusion that engulfed the gathering.
“I think he’s dead. There’s blood everywhere!” exclaimed one frantic caller to a 911 dispatcher, amidst the background noise of panicked screams. Another distraught voice urgently reported, “Somebody is hit!”
In the midst of the turmoil, several callers implored authorities for immediate assistance. “Get an ambulance, please!” one pleaded desperately, while another recounted the frightening scenario: “The shots were just fired and everyone’s just running and ducking.”
The incident unfolded around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, in a typically quiet area about 15 miles northwest of Akron. What should have been a night of celebration quickly turned into a scene of chaos and fear.
During a press conference held on the following Monday, Police Chief Vito Sinopoli provided an update on the situation, confirming that nine individuals had been injured. However, the exact nature of those injuries remained unclear, with authorities still investigating whether all the wounds were gunshot-related. Among the victims were both juveniles and adults, and it was noted that one individual might have sustained a leg injury from a fall amid the disorder.
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“This kind of violence is unacceptable in our community, and we’re committed to applying all available resources to this investigation,” Sinopoli said.
The large home had been rented out on Airbnb, which is not allowed under local zoning ordinances, and most of the people at the party were under 18, according to the police.
Airbnb said in a statement Sunday that it prohibits “unauthorized and disruptive gatherings” and was “heartbroken” by the violence. It has suspended the property listing and removed the account of the person who rented the home.
Sinopoli said the party had been advertised on social media.
“The message I would convey to parents is, be mindful of where your children are,” he said. “If they tell you they’re going to be attending a large party that they saw a social media post about, be wary of that, and I would caution against attending.”
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