SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Springfield officials held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address the bomb threat made earlier in the day via an email to multiple facilities and media within the area.

Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott addressed the media around 2:50 p.m. surrounded by public safety officials.

"Everyone you see back here standing with me played a vital role in our response," Elliott said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Springfield city officials confirmed the city has received a bomb threat to multiple facilities

  • The city is asking the community to avoid the area around City Hall amid the ongoing investigation

  • They said as a precaution, they evacuated the building

  • The city has been in the national spotlight this week after unconfirmed reports that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating people’s pets circulated online

Elliott said officials were made aware of the threat through an email at 8:24 a.m. that went to various agencies and media outlets.

"This public safety threat prompted an immediate response from local and regional law enforcement and our public safety partners," Elliott said. "We take all threats to public safety seriously and our primary concern is the safety and well being of community members."

Elliott said all occupied buildings were evacuated and authorities investigated and cleared the threatened buildings with the help of explosive detecting canines.

Among the buildings listed were City of Springfield City Hall, Bureau of Motor Vehicles Springfield Driver's Exam Station, Ohio License Bureau Southside, Springfield Academy of Excellence, and Fulton Elementary School.

Police asked community members to avoid City Hall earlier in the day. Karen Graves, the city’s strategic engagement manager, said in a news release the primary concern was for employees and residents. 

Elliott said out of caution additional locations were investigated and cleared including the Clark County Court Facilities.

The Board of Clark County Commissioners said earlier Thursday that there were no known threats to the Clark County offices, but all county office buildings closed to the public "out of an abundance of caution," according to a news release.

The closure included all commission departments, Springview Government Center, Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, Clark County Common Pleas Court, Clark County Board of Elections, Clark County Juvenile Court and the A.B. Graham Building.

"We are currently partnering with the Dayton FBI office to investigate and identify the source of this email," Elliot said. 

She added recognition for Springfield Police Division Officers and other responding agencies including the Dayton police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, Dayton Airport Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Clark County Emergency management Agency and fire and rescue divisions.

"We are deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community," Elliott said. "Safety is a shared responsibility if you see something please say something."

The city has been in the national spotlight this week after unconfirmed reports that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating people’s pets circulated online and even came up at the presidential debate.

Police have confirmed to Spectrum News that there have been no credible reports about the claims.

Officials have not said if Thursday's threat is connected to these claims.

In a communication later Thursday afternoon, the city confirmed that the Springfield City Hall’s Utility Billing office would reopen with limited hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) on Sept. 13.