Suspect Responsible for Illegal Geese Hunting in Springfield Revealed to be White Man 'Riding a Lawnmower'

Rumors of illegal geese hunting in Springfield have proven to be partially true, however it was not a Haitian migrant, but rather a white man "riding a lawnmower," according to a report.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources stated that the incident took place Sept. 10 at the Rocky Lakes Golf Course in Springfield, Ohio, according to an arrest report shared to posts on X.

A witness said that he saw a goose floating in a pond before a middle-aged white man "riding a lawnmower" came over to him and told him the goose was dead and that there "would be several more dead geese in a few minutes," the alleged case report stated.

The man then got off the lawnmower he was riding and fired a shotgun twice at another goose. The witness said the man picked up the first dead goose and tossed it into the woods, before picking up the second goose — which was wounded — and twisted its neck to kill it before disposing of it the same way, according to the report.

An officer spoke with the golf course's manager the next day, who said the description "resembled an employee Mr. Brian Comer," the alleged report stated. The manager told the officer that Comer was allowed to hunt on the property so long as he had the correct permits and licenses.

The officer found that Comer did not have the required Ohio Wetland Stamp or the HIP Certification to hunt migratory birds. Comer later told the officer that he thought he was allowed to shoot the geese because he thought the golf course had a nuisance permit, however the officer found that no records since 2008 indicated that the establishment had that permit.

Comer reportedly admitted to the officer that he did shoot the geese, however he was unfamiliar with season dates and bag limits. Comer had bought hunting licenses since 2009, but the officer found that he did not have any of the current wetland stamps needed to hunt geese.

Comer was issued a citation for hunting without an Ohio Wetland Stamp. He faces up to 30 days in jail and/or a $250 fine, according to an alleged criminal complaint.

Rumors of Haitian migrants in Springfield eating pets went viral last month after they were shared by former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance. The claims have since been debunked by city officials.