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Hoax Swatting Bomb Threats Close Ohio Zoos, Juvenile Charged

5/4/2026

47 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Hoax bomb threats forced evacuations at the Akron Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Columbus Zoo.
Police cleared the Akron Zoo after the threat and left it closed for the rest of the day.
Zoo president Tom Schmidt said the rise in swatting calls requires constant vigilance.
Federal prosecutors recently charged a juvenile for swatting calls linked to the cybercriminal group Purgatory.

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Story summary

Hoax bomb threats forced evacuations at the Akron Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Columbus Zoo.
Police cleared the Akron Zoo after the threat and left it closed for the rest of the day.
Zoo president Tom Schmidt said the rise in swatting calls requires constant vigilance.
Federal prosecutors recently charged a juvenile for swatting calls linked to the cybercriminal group Purgatory.