Shooting at Airbnb Rental During ‘Large Party’ Attended Mostly by Juveniles Leaves 9 Injured

At least nine people — a mix of adults and juveniles — were injured during a shooting at a large Airbnb rental in Bath Township, Ohio, near Cleveland.

In the early hours of Nov. 2, the Bath Township community faced what police described as a “tragic and senseless act of violence.” Shots were fired at a party attended mostly by juveniles, according to the Bath Township Police Department. Officials have not yet confirmed whether all nine victims were struck by gunfire or sustained other types of injuries.

Bath Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said during a press conference shared by ABC affiliate News 5 Cleveland that the gathering had been widely promoted online. “We can confirm that a large party was taking place at this location, which we’ve learned was advertised on various social media platforms, drawing a significant crowd,” Sinopoli stated. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the victims’ families and all those affected by this devastating incident.”

Authorities, assisted by neighboring police and fire departments, transported all victims to nearby hospitals, where their conditions are being monitored.

“This kind of violence is unacceptable in our community, and we’re committed to providing all available resources to this investigation,” Sinopoli added. “We’re actively gathering evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses.”

Preliminary findings suggest most of the shots were fired on the first floor of the large home located in the 900 block of Top O Hill Drive.

The event — advertised online as a “birthday party” — began around 12:16 a.m. and quickly turned chaotic once shots were fired. Many attendees fled the scene immediately. First responders arrived to provide life-saving aid to the injured while preserving the area for investigators.

Sinopoli also noted that a similar incident occurred at another Airbnb property in July 2017, during which one person was shot in the leg. He emphasized that “no community is immune from violence,” but reminded residents that Bath Township zoning laws prohibit short-term Airbnb rentals. He confirmed that he had contacted the property owners the morning after the shooting.

“This is a community — violence is not commonplace here,” Sinopoli told News 5 Cleveland. “We do our very best to ensure the protection of our residents and business owners. When an incident like this occurs, we’re very upset about it. We’re going to do our very best to find out who’s responsible for this and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”