Officials evacuated Springfield City Hall this Thursday after a reported bomb threat disrupted business and heightened tensions in a community already under a national microscope for immigration controversies. According to KVAL, the city received the threat via email at 8:24 a.m., immediately evacuating multiple facilities. The threat came amidst swirling rumors regarding the city's Haitian immigrant community.

The City of Springfield released a statement following the incident, according to KVAL, "As a precautionary measure, the building has been evacuated, and authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation." Dayton Police have been brought into the fold, deploying their Bomb Squad to assist local law enforcement, as noted by ABC6. Furthermore, the city commission office warned "the community to avoid the area surrounding City Hall vicinity while the investigation is ongoing and to report any suspicious activity to the Springfield Police Division."

Rumors regarding Haitian migrants have placed Springfield at the center of a volatile debate, with unsubstantiated claims of the migrants engaging in pet theft and other harmful activities circulating on social media. This bomb threat has only intensified the already difficult situation for the community.

ABC6 reported a significant police presence, including officers from other jurisdictions and the Dayton Police. In a statement, the city spokesperson highlighted their priorities, "Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and residents. We are working to address this situation as swiftly as possible." Community members have been urged to forward any information regarding the threat or any suspicious activities to the Springfield Police Division, as the investigation into the bomb threat is ongoing.