• Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States faced lockdowns after receiving threats of violence.
• Virginia State, Hampton, Alabama State, and Southern University were among those impacted as campuses suspended operations.
• The timing, just one day after the Charlie Kirk shooting, raised alarm about possible connections and copycat incidents.

RICHMOND, Va. (TDR) — A wave of threats targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities forced multiple campuses into lockdown Thursday, rattling students, staff, and alumni across the nation. At least half a dozen institutions, including Virginia State University, Hampton University, Alabama State University, Southern University in Baton Rouge, Bethune-Cookman University, and Clark Atlanta University, suspended classes or restricted access as law enforcement investigated.

Lockdowns Across the South and Mid-Atlantic

At Virginia State University, officials ordered an immediate lockdown, canceled classes, and directed staff to work remotely. Students on campus were told to remain indoors, while those off campus were instructed to stay away. Just miles away, Hampton University suspended all classes and non-essential activities for two days, moving to remote operations.

In the Deep South, Alabama State University locked down its campus, urging students to shelter in place until further notice. Southern University in Baton Rouge also confirmed precautionary closures, while Florida’s Bethune-Cookman University and Clark Atlanta University in Georgia heightened security and restricted access.

Timing Raises Larger Concerns

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The threats arrived just one day after Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, leading some observers to question whether the incidents were linked or the result of a copycat wave. Officials have not publicly confirmed any connection but acknowledged that the proximity in timing has heightened anxiety.

HBCUs have been repeatedly targeted by threats in recent years, with dozens receiving bomb or shooting warnings in 2022 and 2023. While few of those earlier threats materialized, they created long-lasting trauma on campuses historically vulnerable to racially motivated violence.

Institutional Response

Each affected university issued emergency alerts, urging students to remain indoors and avoid campus. Campus police increased patrols, and some schools activated partnerships with local and federal law enforcement.

At Virginia State, police vehicles were stationed at every campus entrance, while drones and surveillance cameras were deployed to monitor off-campus housing. Hampton University directed all meetings online, noting the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.”

Federal Law Enforcement Steps In

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The FBI confirmed it is assisting multiple HBCUs in the investigation. Agents are analyzing call logs, email threats, and digital footprints to determine whether the threats were coordinated. Officials have not revealed whether any credible evidence of weapons or explosives was found.

Civil rights groups have demanded swift answers, urging federal authorities to treat the threats as domestic terrorism. “When HBCUs are targeted, America’s history of racial violence echoes loudly,” one activist noted.

Political Reactions

Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia expressed support for the universities, pledging full state resources. National lawmakers echoed concern, with some Democrats calling for increased campus security funding and Republicans urging a wider crackdown on domestic extremism.

The White House has not yet commented, though officials acknowledged the threats raise questions about broader campus security in a moment already inflamed by the Kirk assassination.

Students React With Fear and Frustration

On social media, students shared photos of empty classrooms and barricaded dorms. Many expressed frustration at repeated disruptions and the lingering climate of fear. One student at Alabama State tweeted, “Every semester it feels like we’re reliving this nightmare. When will we feel safe?”

Others said they feared being overlooked by policymakers. “HBCUs don’t get the same security investment as other institutions,” a Hampton student posted, “yet we’re always the ones targeted.”

Broader Context and History

These latest incidents revive memories of civil rights-era violence against Black institutions and underscore the vulnerabilities HBCUs face in an era of heightened polarization. In recent years, schools have faced funding shortages, security lapses, and a surge of online threats.

Analysts warn that the combination of racial tension and political violence risks making HBCUs repeated targets. Unless federal authorities develop a coordinated security strategy, institutions fear lockdowns may become routine.

Unanswered Questions

Authorities are still working to determine: who issued the threats, whether they were coordinated, and if there is any link to the Charlie Kirk shooting. For now, schools are left balancing safety with continuity of education, while students and parents wait anxiously for clarity.

Will these threats prove to be another wave of intimidation without substance, or will America finally confront the rising danger aimed at its Historically Black Colleges?

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