Gunfire broke out early Sunday at a large Airbnb rental home in Bath Township, Ohio, where dozens of teenagers had gathered for a birthday party promoted on social media, leaving nine people injured, authorities said.
According to The Associated Press, the chaotic scene unfolded around 12:15 a.m., about 15 miles northwest of Akron. Police said panicked guests fled as first responders rushed to perform life-saving measures on the victims.
At a Sunday morning news conference, Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said the severity of the injuries remained unclear and that not all victims may have been shot. “One person’s leg injury may have been caused by a fall,” he said.
Sinopoli noted that the home had been rented through Airbnb, despite the town’s zoning ordinances prohibiting such rentals. Most attendees were under 18, he said, and social media posts about the party drew a large and unexpected crowd.
“The Bath Township community experienced a tragic and senseless act of violence early this morning,” Sinopoli said.
No arrests have been made, and it remains unclear what sparked the gunfire or how many shooters were involved.
In a statement, Airbnb said it banned unauthorized and disruptive gatherings, suspended the property’s listing, and removed the account of the person who rented it.
“We are heartbroken by this senseless act of gun violence, and our thoughts are with the injured victims and all those affected by it,” the company said, adding that it is cooperating with investigators.
Sinopoli recalled another shooting at a short-term rental in 2017 that left one person wounded, saying the latest incident is a grim reminder that “no community is immune from violence.”
He said he spoke with the homeowner about the town’s short-term rental ban, emphasizing that violating the zoning rule isn’t a crime — but this tragedy underscores why the restriction exists.
