As of Thursday afternoon, the list of impacted institutions included Virginia State University, Hampton University, Alabama State University, Southern University, Bethune-Cookman University, and locally, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morris Brown College.
The alert began in Atlanta when Clark Atlanta University (CAU) received a direct threat, prompting the university to issue a shelter-in-place order around 12:15 p.m. EST. Campus police and the Atlanta Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the nature and origin of the threat.
In an official statement, CAU explained, “We are currently addressing a situation on campus that requires a shelter-in-place notice as a precautionary measure. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the campus community. Our priority is the safety of all students, faculty and staff.”
As of now, officials have not disclosed the specifics of the threat. No injuries have been reported, and no arrests have been announced. The investigation remains ongoing.
Due to the proximity of institutions within the Atlanta University Center (AUC), Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morris Brown College all enacted precautionary lockdowns shortly after Clark Atlanta's announcement. While Spelman noted that no direct threat had been made to their campus, the college ramped up security at campus entrances and advised students to shelter in place as a safety measure.
All lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders within the AUC were lifted by approximately 1:50 p.m. EST Thursday Afternoon, following clearance from law enforcement.
The situation in Atlanta was part of a larger national scare affecting multiple HBCUs. Institutions in Virginia, Alabama, and Florida also received threats, triggering lockdowns and an increased police presence. As of Thursday, no official motive has been made public, and it's unclear whether the threats are connected to any larger event or movement.
Notably, the threats came just one day after the assassination of controversial conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and coincided with the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Law enforcement has not confirmed any links between these events and the threats made to the HBCUs.
The swift response from university officials and local police departments underscores a heightened awareness of threats facing minority-serving institutions. Many students and staff members took to social media during the lockdown to check in with loved ones, share updates, and express concern for campus safety.
While the immediate threat has passed for now, the larger conversation about the safety and security of Black institutions is far from over.
A student at Clark Atlanta University shared their frustration with the disruption:“The situation that happened with Charlie Kirk was unfortunate, but for it to affect HBCU students was uncalled for and unacceptable. I missed out on a whole day of class because of an irrational choice. I'm just glad it didn't result in deaths or injuries.”
Another student at Clark Atlanta University said" the whole event left us in a state of anxiousness and confusion due to the factors of if the threats were real or not and caused us to miss and other oppurtunities that day sadly"
As one Spelman student shared on Instagram during the lockdown, “It’s heartbreaking to feel unsafe in a place that’s supposed to uplift us. But we’re strong, and we’re looking out for each other.”
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