Date: May 24, 2024

Subject:  Bomb Threat at the Walnut Hills Retirement and Nursing Facility Under Investigation by the Holmes County Sheriff's Office

Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly reports that his Deputies responded to a report of a bomb threat at Walnut Hills Retirement and Nursing Facility, 4748 Old Pump Street, Walnut Creek Twp. around 9:51 a.m. this morning.

The threat was telephoned into the facility and was taken by an employee. The threat was specific to time/day of detonation, but not to a device location. The staff immediately began evacuation preparations of the residents in both buildings prior to arrival of authorities. The residents of both facilities were evacuated for a period of time while deputies, fire and ems personnel secured and searched the facilities for any potential threats.

All residence of the facilities were under the care of staff while the evacuation was in place. EMS did check out two of the residents for minor medical complaints during the evacuation. Holmes County EMA also assisted deputies in securing additional facilities and transportation means for the residents should the need for relocation be necessary. Once both buildings were cleared and secured, all residents and staff were allowed to return to their respective facilities.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by East Holmes Fire and EMS, Holmes County EMA, Ohio Fire Marshall, and Walnut Hills Staff & Administration.

Deputies are continuing the investigation.

Timothy W. Zimmerly, Sheriff