Several law enforcement agencies, including the Norfolk FBI and Norfolk Police Department, are investigating bomb threats made to several HBCUs across the country.
For NSU, an alert email was sent around 7:20 p.m. telling students about the possible attack.
Immediately, the Norfolk State University Student Government Association tweeted Tuesday night, mentioning that students, faculty, and staff were evacuating and being directed off-campus.
Thankfully, no injuries or damages were reported, and all parties were able to find a safe location until the NSU campus was cleared by law enforcement.
The targeted HBCUs spanned six states and Washington DC, including Prairie View A&M University in Texas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Howard University, Florida Memorial University, Norfolk State University in Virginia, North Carolina Central University, and Xavier University in New Orleans.
On the eve of the Jan. 6 insurrectionist attack on the nation’s capital, according to The Washington Post, it is not clear if this barrage of violent threats is a series of isolated events or part of a larger conspiracy. Police deemed that some of the bomb threats were “unfounded,” but also warned that at least one had been “very real,” according to WDSU in New Orleans.
This week’s events come after an alarming uptick in bombings in the US. In 2020, the United States Bomb Data Center recorded 25% fewer bomb threats than in 2019. Yet it tallied 428 actual bombings — a 71% increase from the year before.
Those with information can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.