Nine people, including teenagers, were injured when an unknown shooter or shooters opened fire during a party at an Airbnb rental at around midnight on the 900 block of Top O Hill Drive in Bath Township, Ohio. Bath Township Police said officers responded after multiple 911 calls reported a shooting at the home. Police believe a large group of juveniles arrived after a social media post promoted the event, which the Associated Press reported was a birthday party. Officials said the shooter or shooters fired multiple rounds inside the home, struck several people and then fled the scene. When emergency personnel arrived, they provided life-saving assistance to the victims, who were then taken to hospital. The victims’ ages range from 15 to 20. Several local agencies assisted with the investigation. Police said the current condition of the victims is unknown. Investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Bath Township Police are processing the crime scene.Police Chief Vito 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. He said the victims may include a mix of juveniles and adults. Social media posts about the party drew a big crowd, he said, as per AP.It was not immediately known what sparked the shooting and how many people fired guns, he said. No arrests were announced.“The Bath Township community experienced a tragic and senseless act of violence early this morning,” Sinopoli said.Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said, “The City of Akron will do anything needed to assist Bath officials in the investigation that is already underway. Those who perpetrate violence anywhere in our community must be held accountable for their actions. This kind of deadly behavior cannot be normalized.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Bath Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-666-3736. Airbnb said, “We are heartbroken by this senseless act of gun violence, and our thoughts are with the injured victims and all those affected by it. Unauthorized and disruptive gatherings are strictly prohibited on Airbnb and our Safety team acted immediately to remove the account of the individual who deliberately broke those rules by booking this stay. Our law enforcement response team is in contact with the chief of Bath Township Police Department to assist their ongoing investigation to ensure those responsible for this terrible incident are brought to justice.” Airbnb said it is also in contact with the host, and the listing is suspended from the platform as investigations continue. Police are still working to identify who is responsible for the shooting.
