A new wave of terroristic threats forced several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to lock down this week, prompting federal investigators to step in. The FBI confirmed that while the threats disrupted campuses and caused fear among students and staff, there is no current evidence of a credible danger.
The timing has raised alarm, coming on the heels of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting at a school. Many are questioning whether the threats to HBCUs are connected to the heightened climate of fear around educational spaces.
According to the FBI, the calls made to campuses across the South and East Coast appear to be hoaxes, but investigators say they’re treating them with the highest level of seriousness. The agency is coordinating with state, local, and campus police, while encouraging schools not to let their guard down.
Students at institutions including Spelman College, Hampton University, Southern University, Bethune-Cookman University, and Virginia State University were forced to shelter in place or leave campus until law enforcement could secure the area. Many schools canceled classes and activities, citing safety concerns.
The FBI’s message: they don’t believe the threats are credible, but they acknowledge the chaos and trauma these hoax calls cause. “Even fake threats put innocent people at risk,” the bureau said in a statement.
