Bomb threats made to historically Black universities across 5 states for second time this month

Rep. Joaquin Castro joins congressional calls led by Rep. Alma Adams to address the series of bomb threats made against multiple HBCUs.

Southern University and A&M College reports a bomb threat made in the morning on Jan. 31, placing the campus on lockdown.

Southern University and A&M College reports a bomb threat made in the morning on Jan. 31, placing the campus on lockdown.

Screenshot from Twitter

WOODSTOCK, Ga. (AP) โ€” At least a half-dozen historically Black universities in five states and the District of Columbia were responding to bomb threats Monday, with many of them locking down their campuses for a time.

In warnings to students, school officials say some of the threats were directed at academic buildings.

The FBI โ€œis aware of bomb threats received by some Historically Black Colleges and Universities," the agency said in a statement provided by Jenna Sellitto, an FBI spokesperson in Atlanta. โ€œThe FBI takes all potential threats seriously, and we regularly work with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility."

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the threats on Monday and was working with local law enforcement to continue investigating, Acting Deputy Director Thomas Chittum said.

Monday's bomb scares come one day before the start of Black History Month, and less than a month after a series of bomb threats were made to multiple historically Black universities Jan. 4.

โ€œWe are deeply disturbed by a second round of bomb threats at HBCU campuses within a month," the co-hairs of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus said in a statement Monday.

โ€œLearning is one of the most noble and most human pursuits, and schools are sacred places that should always be free from terror," it said. โ€œSolving these crimes and bringing those responsible to justice should be a top priority for federal law enforcement."

The statement was issued by U.S. Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina and U.S. Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, who are co-chairs of the caucus.

U.S. Rep Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, quote tweeted Adams in support of protecting HBCUs.

"For the second time this month, HBCU campuses have received deeply disturbing bomb threats," he tweeted. "Students should feel safe on campus and not subjected to violence and fear."

In Georgia, Albany State University warned students and faculty on social media that โ€œa bomb threat has been issued to Albany State University's academic buildings."

School officials at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told students to stay in their dormitories and until an all-clear was given.

At Bowie State University in Maryland, school officials told everyone on campus to shelter in place until more information was available. Explosive detection dogs and bomb technicians were helping campus police to sweep buildings, The Office of the State Fire Marshall said in a statement. The campus reopened later Monday after a search by local, state and federal law officers found no explosive devices, school officials said.

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Howard University was also the subject of a bomb threat before dawn Monday, but later gave an all-clear to students and staff, WTOP reported.

In Florida, Daytona Beach police said in a tweet they have cleared the Bethune-Cookman campus of any bomb threat. But classes were canceled for the day and the agency will have a police presence on campus for the rest of the day.

Delaware State University spokesperson Carlos Holmes told local news outlets a bomb threat to that campus was made early Monday morning.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the threats "are certainly disturbing and the White House is in touch with the interagency partners, including federal law enforcement leadership on this.โ€œ

โ€œWeโ€™re relieved to hear that Howard and Bethune-Cookman universities have been given the all clear and will continue to monitor these reports," Psaki said. โ€œThe President is aware, I donโ€™t believe heโ€™s received the formal briefing but he is aware of these reports and obviously as you know that law enforcement authorities would be running point.โ€

More coverage on Texas HBCUs:

- An interactive guide to HBCUs across Texas

- Underfunded: A history of funding failures at Texas HBCUs

- HBCUs have produced most of Houston's Black elected officials

- Lack of funding, resources biggest challenges for athletics at HBCUs

- Texas Southern to become COVID-19 testing hub for HBCUs throughout Texas

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