Bath Township Airbnb Party Shooting Injures Nine Juveniles Early Sunday Morning
BATH TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Early Sunday morning, the normally quiet residential area of the 900 block of Top O Hill Drive in Bath Township was rocked by gunfire at a large gathering, leaving nine juveniles wounded, law enforcement confirmed. The shooting occurred inside an Airbnb rental where a party had been advertised widely via social media.
According to the Bath Township Police Department, officers were dispatched around 12:00 a.m. after multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at the residence. Upon arrival, first responders found a chaotic scene: a substantial number of party-goers, young teens and pre-teens, and at least nine minors suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims ranged in age from approximately 14 to 17 years old, though specific names have not been publicly released due to their juvenile status and pending parental notifications.
Preliminary investigation by police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) indicates that the party had drawn a large crowd—dozens of underage attendees—after being promoted on social platforms. Law enforcement believe that sometime after midnight, one or more unknown individuals inside or outside the home discharged a firearm, striking multiple attendees before fleeing the scene. The actual motive remains unclear, but the presence of a large, unsupervised group of teenagers in a private residence is prompting scrutiny.
Victim #1, a 17-year-old male from nearby Summit County, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and remains in stable condition at Akron General Hospital. Victim #2, a 16-year-old female, was hit in the shoulder; she was treated and released by morning. Victim #3, age 15, suffered a torso wound and is listed as stable after surgery. Victim #4 (17) was grazed in the lower back and released. Victim #5 (14) was struck in the hand, victim #6 (16) sustained wound to the thigh, victim #7 (17) was hit in the foot, victim #8 (15) sustained a leg wound, and victim #9 (17) was treated for an upper-arm gunshot. No fatalities have been reported as of Monday morning.
Law enforcement and fire-rescue units were assisted by neighboring agencies including the Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and Richfield Village Police Department. The combined response helped stabilize the scene, interview dozens of witnesses, and secure the home for forensic processing.
In a public statement, Bath Township Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said:
“This is a very serious incident involving multiple children who came to a party advertised online and left with life-altering injuries. Our investigators are working every lead to identify those responsible and ensure accountability.”
Investigators have canvassed nearby residences for surveillance video, collected shell casings from the yard and driveway, and interviewed dozens of attendees who fled the home after the shooting. Detectives are specifically looking to track a possible suspect vehicle and identify the individual(s) who discharged the weapon(s). Charges may include felonious assault, reckless endangerment, underage drinking (if applicable), and illegal assembly of minors.
Nearby parents and community members expressed shock and concern. “We trusted that house was just a weekend rental,” said one neighbor who witnessed the aftermath. “We didn’t expect bullets.” Many are now pushing for stricter oversight of short-term rentals in areas near homes and schools.
The Airbnb owner is cooperating with investigations, though the party’s promotion on social media and the number of attendees suggest organizers may have violated rental agreements and local laws. The property is currently closed pending police release of the scene.
Counselors have been deployed to local schools, as many of the victims attend nearby districts and together face the trauma of surviving violence among peers. Community leaders are calling for stronger youth outreach programs, better monitoring of social-media-advertised parties, and increased law enforcement visibility in juvenile nightlife settings.
Police urge anyone with information—photos, videos, or witness accounts—to contact the Bath Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-666-3736. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The identity of the shooter(s) remains unknown, but officials emphasized: “One person with a phone can help save lives.”
As Bath Township residents come to terms with the event, the community faces an unsettling question: a simple house party turned deadly in minutes. The investigation is ongoing and more charges may follow as authorities piece together exactly what went wrong—and how to prevent it from happening again.
