Nine historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats leading to evacuating students, faculty, and staff.
Spelman College, North Carolina Central University, Howard University, Norfolk State University, Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Texas Southern University, Florida Memorial University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff all reported bomb threats on Tuesday that have since been cleared.
On Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, the Department of Public Safety at Spelman and the Atlanta Police Department responded to a potential bomb threat in the Manley College Center. After a thorough search, no devices were found and the building was secured. APD is actively investigating. pic.twitter.com/BtkD9q0zvc
— Spelman College (@SpelmanCollege) January 5, 2022
All clear. Howard’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) and MPD responded to a potential bomb threat on campus this afternoon. The perimeter was secured and searched. No active devices were found and the area has been cleared.
— Howard University (@HowardU) January 4, 2022
Although local law enforcement was called, and no explosions occurred on the premises, there is no clear indication of whether the threats are connected or racially motivated.
Reflecting on the timeline of events, two of the institutions received threats around the same time. Pine Bluff shared they received a threat around 5:15 p.m; soon after, North Carolina Central University alerted officials of a threat. The other five HBCU’s have not disclosed the timing of their threats but said the messages had arrived in the evening.
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
North Carolina Central University emailed an “Eagle Alert” to students and employees urging an evacuation shortly after its 5:30 p.m. bomb threat. With assistance from local authorities, North Carolina Central University Police Department advised that all campus buildings were safe for the return of students, faculty, and staff. The institution sent an all-clear notice around 9:15 p.m welcoming students and staff back on campus.
The Washington Post reports that the nation’s frequency of bomb threats has declined over the last two years, but the number of actual bombings has increased.
