Springfield, Ohio was once again rattled by bomb threats on Friday, marking the second consecutive day of evacuations and closures of public schools and municipal buildings. The city, already under intense scrutiny due to unfounded rumors surrounding its Haitian population, now finds itself grappling with the repercussions of these false claims.

According to Jenna Leinasars, spokesperson for the school district, Perrin Woods and Snowhill Elementary Schools had to evacuate their students to an alternate district location. Meanwhile, Roosevelt Middle School had already been closed prior to the start of the school day, based on information received from the Springfield Police Department.

Adding to the chaos, several city commissioners and a municipal employee became targets of emailed bomb threats, as confirmed by city spokesperson Karen Graves. A second email contained threats towards 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. As a precautionary measure, all affected buildings were evacuated, and thorough inspections were carried out by authorities, with the assistance of explosive detection canines. Fortunately, all the listed facilities were eventually cleared.

Local police, in conjunction with FBI agents based in Dayton, are now investigating the origin of these email threats, as stated by Graves.

It is important to note that these bomb threats come at a time when the city of Springfield finds itself in the midst of a national political firestorm. False rumors have been circulating, suggesting that Haitian immigrants are engaging in the theft and consumption of household pets. However, city officials and the police have firmly asserted that these claims hold no merit, emphasizing that there is no credible information to support such outlandish allegations.

The ongoing bomb threats and the groundless rumors have created a tense atmosphere within Springfield, as local authorities work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. The community remains resilient, standing united against fear and misinformation, as they await further developments in the investigation.

Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities or information that may aid in resolving these incidents swiftly.