At least eight historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in four states, including Florida’s Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, shut down their campuses or issued shelter-in-place orders on Sept. 11 in response to “terroristic threats,” according to reports.
Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, Southern University, Spelman College, Virginia State University and B-CU all shut down after unspecified threats were made, according to statements from the educational institutions.
The threats come on the anniversary of the terror attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 and a day after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an appearance in Utah.
There have been no reports yet from the other HBCUs in Florida: Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, or Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. FAMU sent out a statement saying the university had not received any threats but was working closing with the FBI and monitoring the situation.
“We stand in solidarity with institutions currently under lockdown or threat and extend our support during this time,” the statement said.
Here’s what we know.
Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach
At 12:23 p.m., B-CU issued an alert on social media.
“Due to a potential threat to campus safety, as a precaution, Bethune-Cookman University is currently on lockdown.
“All classes have been canceled; students should return to their dorm rooms and shelter in place. All faculty and staff should head home and those not on campus should plan to work remotely.
“Safety is our first priority, and we will continue to provide updates.”
Daytona Beach police confirmed they were actively investigating the threat. Emergency equipment was staged nearby and authorities requested bomb-sniffing dogs. Emergency equipment, including ambulances and fire engines were staged at a nearby park.
At 2:22 p.m. police said they had completed their sweep of several floors at a university building and gave the all clear, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama
Alabama State told USA TODAY in a statement that it received “terrorist threats” and that it had shut down campus operations out of an abundance of caution.
“We are working in close coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader ASU community,” the statement said.
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
Campus police confirmed to AtlantaNewsFirst.com that the university issued a shelter-in-place order for students and faculty just before noon.
Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia
Hampton University canceled classes for Sept. 11 and 12, saying in a statement, “Hampton University has received notice of a potential threat and has ceased all non-essential activity, effective immediately.”
“It is imperative that all members of the Hampton University community remain vigilant. If you see something, say something,” the statement said.
Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia
Morehouse issued a shelter-in-place order shortly after Clark Atalnta received a threat, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Southern lifted its lockdown Thursday afternoon but cancelled classes on Thursday, Spet, 11, through the weekend.
Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia
Out of precaution, Spelman issued a shelter-in-place order but lifted it soon after.
Virgina State University, Ettrick, Virginia
Virginia State shared an “urgent alert” at 8:30 a.m. ET, declaring the campus closed and advising students, faculty, and staff to check their emails.
In a statement to local 8News, a school representative said the closure was “due to a potential threat” and that students who are on campus should remain indoors.
Contributing: Mark Harper and Patricio G. Balona, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bethune-Cookman threat among several today for HBCUs
