Airbnb denies zoning violations, negligence in lawsuit over Bath Township mass shooting

Courts and JusticeAirbnb denied responsibility for facilitating the rental of a house that was the site of a mass shooting late last year. Bath Township officials have said the company was not allowed to operate at that location, but the company has disputed that. Megan Sims, Cleveland.comBy Lucas Daprile, cleveland.comAdvance Local Express DeskAKRON, Ohio — Airbnb has denied violating Bath Township zoning regulations and rejected claims that it was negligent in connection with a mass shooting at a house party last year.The filing, submitted July 2 in Summit County Common Pleas Court, is Airbnb’s response to a lawsuit brought by Brooklyn Diener, one of the survivors of the Nov. 2, 2025 shooting at a party held at a home on Top of the Hill Drive in Bath Township. Bath Township officials have repeatedly maintained that short-term rentals are not permitted at the property under local zoning rules. Airbnb, however, denied that it violated any zoning requirements. In one of its affirmative defenses, Airbnb stated that it “did not violate any zoning regulation and did not breach any duty.” The company also denied allegations that it was negligent or otherwise at fault for the shooting. Airbnb further argued that Diener’s injuries were caused by people and circumstances beyond the company’s control. The company asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.Diener sued Airbnb, property owner Shauna Gardner and unidentified party organizers earlier this year. According to the lawsuit, Diener was shot multiple times during the party and suffered severe and permanent physical and psychological injuries. The suit argues that Airbnb and the property’s owner bear responsibility because the home was allegedly operating as an illegal short-term rental in violation of Bath Township zoning regulations. The shooting occurred during a party promoted on social media as a birthday celebration at a mansion. Authorities said hundreds of people attended the gathering, many of them juveniles. Multiple shooters opened fire shortly after midnight, injuring nine people. Elijah Wells, 18, of Akron, later died from his injuries. Several people have since been charged in connection with the shooting, and criminal cases remain pending. Authorities previously said investigators recovered evidence indicating multiple firearms were used during the attack. Diener’s lawsuit is one of two civil cases filed in connection with the shooting. Alicia Wells, Elijah Wells’ mother, has also sued Airbnb, the property owner and others. Airbnb had not yet filed a response in that case as of this month.Lucas Daprile is a news reporter focusing on courts for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer. He also writes a satirical advice column, Ask Lucas, typically once per week. He is a Northeast Ohio native who...