Following claims about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets, colleges in Springfield, Ohio, are grappling with threats and plan to close for several days.
Wittenberg University and Clark State College have canceled in-person classes, with Wittenberg moving online for Monday and Clark State closing for the week. Both schools received bomb and shooting threats. The FBI is investigating these threats.
The threats come after former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance began amplifying rumors that Haitian immigrants were responsible for killing and eating pets in the area. Trump plans to visit Springfield soon, according to NBC News.
The Wittenberg Police Division and Springfield Police Department will continue with increased presence in and around our campus today. Along with Wittenberg, the city of Springfield and Governor DeWine are taking these threats seriously and are currently working with the appropriate agencies to address," the university said in a statement. All events, athletics and activities were also canceled for Monday.
Springfield police are also heightening security at Clark State for the week, and the school is working with its wellness team and partners to provide additional counseling services.
"We understand the anxiety that such incidents can cause and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and care," officials said.
Local officials, including City Manager Bryan Heck, denounced the misinformation, telling The Columbus Dispatch that no credible reports of pet abuse exist.