At least seven HBCU campuses were evacuated or locked down on Tuesday (January 4) after they received bomb threats.
According to The Washington Post, Howard University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Florida Memorial University, Prairie View A&M University and Xavier University all reported receiving bomb threats. No explosions occurred.
Officials at all the schools ordered lockdowns or evacuated students and faculty while alerting local law enforcement agencies. It’s not immediately clear if the threats were connected or racially motivated.
By Wednesday morning (January 5), most of the campuses posted their all-clear notices to their campuses.
NSU Police Dept. completed investigation of a bomb threat received Tuesday evening and issued an “All Clear.” Students have been secured in a hotel and dorms remain closed until 8 AM Wednesday. NSU Police and authorities secured campus. For emergencies, call NSU at 757-823-9000. pic.twitter.com/Przq4fOzA0
— Norfolk State University (@Norfolkstate) January 5, 2022
“Although the threat was unfounded we ask that everyone remain vigilant,” the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff said in a statement that noted that all students hadn’t returned from winter break, but those who did were relocated to off-campus locations.
Pine Bluff reported receiving the bomb threat around 5:15 p.m. North Carolina Central University reported receiving a threat to their campus shortly after. The other schools have not disclosed the time they received the threat, but that messages came during the afternoon or evening.
This wave of threats comes after three Ivy Leagues schools received similar threats in November back when a rumored viral TikTok post predicted widespread threats at schools. The posts triggered a dozen school districts across the country to increase campus security. Authorities later determined the threats were not credible.
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