Bomb Threat Triggers Temporary Evacuation At HBCU North Carolina

The North Carolina Central University (NCCU), which is a Historically Black College and University, temporarily evacuated students at the Durham campus after a bomb threat Tuesday. There were at least six other bomb threats reported at HBCU campuses around the U.S.

Students were asked to “proceed immediately to the nearest exit and vacate the building” through an alert sent to NCUU at 5.34 p.m. Tuesday, The News & Observer reported.

In a tweet, the NCCU said students who need to be transported off campus “to the evacuation point should report to the Lower Lot of the Mary Townes Science Complex parking lot.” The university also said in a statement that an “all clear” notice was issued at 9.15 p.m. after joint operations with the Durham Police Department, the NCCU Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies made sure “all buildings were cleared for the safe return of students, faculty and staff.”

Other HBCUs, such as Howard University and Prairie View A&M University also reported bomb threats at their campus, The Hill reported. Howard University has since announced an “all clear” notice, noting that “no active devices were found and the area has been cleared.”

Prairie View asked students to “remain where you are” and urged the campus community to contact the campus police department if they notice any activities around the area.

At Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) responded to a bomb threat shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, NBC affiliate WDSU reported. The NOPD said after initial investigations that the threat was very real. Sources told the outlet that the university will continue to be on high alert despite everyone being reported safe after the threat.

Virginia law enforcement agencies are investigating a bomb threat at another HBCU campus, the Norfolk State University (NSU), NBC affiliate WAVY-TV reported. The Norfolk Police Department and Norfolk FBI are also involved in the investigations, NSU officials said.

As with the other campuses where bomb threats were reported, there were no injuries at the NSU and students, faculty and staff were relocated to safety. Dorms at NSU will be closed until 8 a.m. Wednesday.