Anti-Haitian threats target 2 colleges in Springfield, Ohio

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Two colleges in Springfield were targeted by threats Sunday in connection with the city’s Haitian population, forcing one to cancel all events and another to go to online classes for the week.

A statement posted on the Wittenberg University website says the school received an email Saturday threatening an on-campus shooting on Sunday. A second email with a bomb threat was sent on Sunday. Clark State College also received emails threatening a shooting an bomb threat, according to a statement on the school’s website.

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It’s the latest incidents of threats being made targeting the city’s Haitian community after it became a focus of false online rumors accusing them of stealing and eating people’s pets.

“Both messages targeted members of our local Haitian community,” the Wittenberg statement says. “Wittenberg Police are cooperating with the Springfield Police Division and the FBI as they continue to investigate these threats to campus.”

The school says all of its classes will be remote on Monday and that all academic facilities will be locked. “All students, faculty, and staff should continue to exercise extreme precaution and be alert to all surroundings,” the statement says.

Classes will be held remotely all week at Clark State College. All activities at the school have been canceled.

“We understand the anxiety that such incidents can cause and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and care,” the Clark State College statement says. “As a proactive measure, Springfield Police will also increase their security presence on campus, and we are working with our wellness team and partners to provide additional counseling services.”