SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — An all-clear was given after authorities evacuated Springfield City Hall and other Clark County buildings Thursday morning due to a bomb threat.
Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliot said city officials received the threat via email at 8:24 a.m. The message was sent to multiple agencies and media outlets.
The chief said evacuations were ordered as a precautionary measure and local and regional law enforcement agencies responded. Authorities investigated and cleared all facilities listed in the email with explosive-detecting canines, according to Elliot. Those locations include:
- Springfield City Hall
- Springfield Driver's Exam Station
- Ohio License Bureau southside
- Springfield Academy of Excellence
- Fulton Elementary School
Elliot said additional locations were investigated and cleared, including the Clark County Court facilities.
"Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and residents. We are working to address this situation as swiftly as possible," the city said.
The city of Springfield has received national attention since Monday as we approach the presidential election in November — and the city was maliciously distorted by false rumors that Haitian immigrants are eating their neighbors' pets.
Donald Trump amplified those lies during Tuesday’s nationally televised debate, exacerbating some residents’ fears about growing divisiveness in the predominantly white, blue-collar city. It's part of a timeworn political tradition to cast immigrants as outsiders. Trump was repeating earlier claims about Springfield's Haitian immigrants made by his running mate, JD Vance.
The falsehoods about Springfield's Haitian immigrants were spread online by Trump's running mate, JD Vance, on the eve of Tuesday's debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. It's part of a timeworn American political tradition of casting immigrants as outsiders.
Officials in Springfield have tried to tamp down the misinformation by saying there have been no credible or detailed reports of any pets being abducted or eaten. State leaders are trying to help address some of the real challenges facing the city.
Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday he would add more law enforcement and health care resources to an aid package the state has already provided to Springfield.
Stay with 10TV for updates on this developing story.