FBI investigating bomb threats against multiple HBCUs

by Sarakshi Rai - 02/01/22 10:56 AM ET

The FBI is investigating after multiple historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country have received bomb threats for a second day in a row on Tuesday.

Multiple universities took to their Twitter account to share the news of the threats and to issue shelter in place notifications to students.

At least 12 HBCUs received threats on Tuesday, and at least six institutions received threats on Monday.

“The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats,” the FBI said in a statement to The Hill.

“As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately,” the statement added.

The impacted universities suspended operations for the day on Tuesday, with many of them stating they were in lockdown until further notice.

So far, Tuesday threats have been reported at Morgan State University and Coppin State University in Baltimore; Kentucky State University in Frankfort; Xavier University in New Orleans; Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Fla.; Fort Valley State University in Georgia; Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss.; Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark.; and Tougaloo College and Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Jackson State University later said that the Jackson Police Department and JSU Department of Public Safety swept the campus after the threat was made but found no device.

Howard University in Washington, D.C., tweeted that it received a bomb threat in the early hours of Tuesday morning for a second day and subsequently received an “all clear” from the police. It added that the “shelter-in-place” directive had been lifted.

University of the District of Columbia also received a bomb threat before 3 a.m., according to local news outlet ABC7.

The threats were made against the HBCUs on the first day of Black History Month.

In addition to Howard, Bowie State University, Southern University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University and Delaware State University all reportedly received bomb threats Monday morning, according to multiple news outlets and university statements.

Monday marked the second time in January that multiple HBCUs, including Howard University, received bomb threats that led to campus lockdowns and student and faculty relocations.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that President Biden is aware of the latest bomb threats at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and called them “disturbing.”

Psaki added that the White House is in touch with interagency partners, including federal law enforcement leadership on the matter.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, tweeted on Tuesday that “each institution should be a safe place for students to grow and learn.”

“The bomb threats to the HBCUs deserve a full investigation, particularly given the dynamic terrorism threat. Students and staff members should feel safe on campus and not subjected to violence and fear,” he added.

The NAACP issued a statement on Tuesday, saying it is monitoring the recent bomb threats made to HBCUs across the country.

“The Black community has long been plagued by threats of domestic terrorism against them in their schools, homes, and houses of worship,” the statement added.

The organization added that “it is all too concerning that we are seeing a resurgence of these threats” as the country enters Black History Month.

Updated on Feb. 2 at 5:47 a.m.

Tags Bennie Thompson Jen Psaki Joe Biden