Nine Injured, Including Minors, in Shooting at Ohio Airbnb House Party

Nine people were wounded early Sunday when gunfire erupted during an unauthorized party at a short-term rental property in Bath Township, a suburban community just west of Akron, Ohio, according to local authorities.

Bath Township Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said officers were called to the residence shortly before 1 a.m. on Nov. 2 after several 911 callers reported shots fired. Responding units found victims inside and outside the home; some were juveniles, though police did not release specific ages. All nine injured individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Their conditions had not been publicly updated as of Sunday afternoon.

The house had been booked through Airbnb, Sinopoli confirmed. Investigators believe the guest who reserved the property used the platform to host a party that violated the company’s rules barring large, unapproved gatherings. Detectives were still working Sunday to determine how many people attended, what sparked the violence and how many shooters were involved. No arrests were immediately announced.

This is the second time in less than a decade that gunfire has broken out at an Airbnb listing in Bath Township. In July 2017, a man was shot in the leg during what police described as an apparent drive-by attack on a party at another rental home in the same township.

Airbnb removes account, pledges cooperation

In a written statement issued to news outlets, Airbnb called the incident “a senseless act of gun violence” and said it had permanently removed the account of the individual who booked the home. The company’s law-enforcement response team is working with Bath Township investigators to “ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement added.

Airbnb stressed that “unauthorized and disruptive gatherings are strictly prohibited” on its platform, noting that it has implemented a series of measures aimed at deterring high-risk reservations, particularly around Halloween weekend. On Oct. 30, the company announced it was expanding its machine-learning “anti-party” system across the United States and Canada to identify bookings that show warning signs—such as a short lead time, a single-night stay or a rental located near the guest’s home address.

The firm said last year’s Halloween safeguards prevented 38,000 attempts to book listings in the United States and 6,300 in Canada. In 2022, Airbnb imposed a permanent global ban on parties following several high-profile shootings at properties marketed through the site.

Investigation continues

Chief Sinopoli told reporters that detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, collecting ballistic evidence and interviewing witnesses. Police have not released information on a possible motive or whether the gunfire stemmed from an altercation inside the house or outside on the property. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact Bath Township police.

Imagem: Internet

The suburban township, home to roughly 10,000 residents, is situated about 10 miles northwest of downtown Akron. Sunday’s events have renewed local discussion about the regulation of short-term rentals and the challenges of preventing large, unpermitted gatherings that can draw attendees from multiple jurisdictions.

While the investigation remains in its early stages, the incident underscores broader concerns about firearm violence at social events. According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms injuries remain one of the leading causes of death among young people in the United States, and mass shootings at private parties and rental properties have become a recurring public-safety issue.

Bath Township officials said they will review the police department’s findings to determine whether additional local regulations or coordination with rental platforms are warranted. In the meantime, the township asked residents to report any suspected large gatherings at short-term rentals so officers can intervene before problems escalate.

Police have scheduled no further briefings but indicated updates will be released as new information becomes available.

Crédito da imagem: WEWS-TV