Additional Coverage:
- ‘Chilling reminder’: At least 6 historically Black universities on alert amid threats (abcnews.go.com)
Several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were placed on lockdown Thursday following a wave of potential threats. Among the affected institutions were Alabama State University, Virginia State University, Hampton University, Southern University, and Clark Atlanta University. Spelman College, located near Clark Atlanta University, also initiated shelter-in-place procedures as a precaution.
The FBI has confirmed awareness of these threats, characterizing them as “hoax threat calls.” While emphasizing that the threats are taken seriously, the agency stated there is currently no information suggesting a credible threat.
Campuses responded swiftly to the situation. Hampton University suspended all non-essential activities, including athletic events.
Virginia State University remained on lockdown as a precautionary measure. Southern University in Louisiana locked down its entire Baton Rouge campus, urging the community to shelter in place.
While the lockdown was later lifted, all campus activities and classes were cancelled through the weekend.
The Congressional Black Caucus condemned the threats as “vile” and a “chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism” targeting Black communities. The caucus called upon the FBI and Department of Justice for a swift and thorough investigation.
Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, also initiated lockdown procedures due to a potential threat. At Virginia State University, students, faculty, and staff were asked to remain on lockdown while authorities investigated. No injuries were reported, and additional security personnel were deployed.
These lockdowns come in the aftermath of Wednesday’s shooting at Utah Valley University, where conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was killed. Civil rights activist Rev.
Al Sharpton condemned the violence and threats against HBCUs, referencing past incidents at Edward Waters University and Tuskegee University. However, officials have not linked the HBCU threats to the Utah Valley University shooting.
A spokesperson for Virginia State University confirmed the threat they received did not mention Charlie Kirk.
Officials at Hampton and Alabama State confirmed no physical incidents occurred and stressed the importance of community vigilance, encouraging anyone who sees something to say something. These threats follow a pattern of similar incidents targeting HBCUs in recent years, including a series of bomb threats in 2022 that were ultimately deemed hoaxes. The FBI identified a juvenile believed to be responsible for a majority of those racially motivated threats.