At least nine juveniles were shot at a party on November 2, 2025, at an Airbnb rental property in Bath Township, Ohio, a suburb of Akron, as reported by the Bath Township Police Department. Local authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Bath Township Police Chief Vito Sinopoli held a news conference following the shooting, expressing the community’s sorrow over the traumatic event. Sinopoli pointed out that this shooting marked the second incident involving gunfire at an Airbnb property in the township since July 2017. The previous occurrence involved a man who was shot in the leg during what was described as a drive-by shooting at a party.
In response to the shooting, Airbnb issued a statement conveying their heartbreak over the “senseless act of gun violence,” extending thoughts to the injured and those affected. The company announced it promptly removed the account of the individual who booked the property, citing that unauthorized gatherings are against their policy.
Airbnb also emphasized their commitment to ensure safety during such events. Just days prior to the shooting, the company had announced the deployment of AI-driven “anti-party” technology in the U.S. and Canada, aimed at reducing the occurrence of large gatherings. This technology utilizes machine learning to detect potential party risks based on factors like reservation length, distance from the guest’s location, property type, and timing of the booking.
The new measures come as part of a broader strategy Airbnb implemented five years ago, which has already prevented tens of thousands of bookings that were believed to be for party purposes. Following several shooting incidents, Airbnb announced a permanent global ban on parties in 2022, highlighting the need for stringent policies alongside effective enforcement.
The Bath Township community mourns this incident, reflecting a broader concern regarding safety at rental properties and the challenges associated with unauthorized gatherings. It is a reminder of the ongoing issues related to youth safety and gun violence, emphasizing the need for continued focus on preventive measures.