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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Airbnb says it is not responsible for a party in Bath Township that ended in a mass shooting last weekend. The company made the claim after Elijah Wells, 18, of Akron died Thursday from the attack. Eight others were injured. Bath officials have said the company was operating in violation of local zoning laws. A company spokesman expressed condolences for Wells and said it is cooperating with law enforcement. It continues to screen rentals for potential high-risk parties. He also said Bath Township does not ban its services. “Under our terms of service, hosts are expected to comply with applicable local laws and regulations,” the spokesman said in a statement. “Bath Township does not ban short-term rentals. Additionally, we are not aware of alleged short-term rental or zoning violations involving this home.” Township officials have said otherwise. Bath zoning laws prohibit the company from operating at the home of the mass shooting, which followed a party that was advertised on social media, documents show. There, 933 Top of the Hill Drive, is zoned as residential, much like the lion’s share of the land in Bath Township. In that zone, bed and breakfasts – the township’s 184-page zoning regulations don’t explicitly mention short-term rentals – are banned. Such establishments are only permitted in two business districts and a residential zone in the township’s eastern flank with special permission, documents show. Bath Township administrator and Chief of Police Vito Sinopoli confirmed the township’s zoning laws and how they apply to 933 Top of the Hill Drive. The property is owned by Shauna Gardner, who received it from her husband Michael Jones before he was sentenced to over six years in prison for mail and wire fraud. Gardner has not responded to multiple calls from reporters seeking comment. However, police say she is cooperating in the investigation. Following the shooting, Peter Pattakos, an attorney for the family of the slain teenager’s family, has called for the property rental platform to be among those held accountable for the party. The township’s trustees posted a message on social media calling for town residents to report properties that are illegally functioning as short-term rentals. As of Friday afternoon, police have yet to make any arrests related to the shooting, and two of the wounded remain in the hospital, Sinopoli said. Shortly after midnight Sunday, police say multiple shooters opened fire on the party, where police said hundreds of people had gathered. The party had been advertised on social media as a birthday celebration at a $1.2 million mansion with entry fees of $5 for boys and $10 for girls, which included free liquor. Authorities said they found a large amount of alcohol at the party and are considering charges of providing alcohol to minors against the organizers.
