FBI investigating bomb threats against HBCUs as 'hate crimes'

Advertisement
FBI investigating bomb threats against HBCUs as 'hate crimes'
Washington DC, Howard University campus sign.Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
  • Dozens of bomb threats have been made at Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country.
  • The FBI says it's investigating the threats as "racially or ethnically motivated."
Advertisement

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the series of bomb threats made against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities as "racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes," the Bureau told Insider in a Wednesday statement.

Dozens of bomb threats were made against HBCUs across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

On January 31, Delaware State University, Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Albany State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Howard University, and Bowie State University received threats.

The following day, and the start of Black History Month, Jackson State, Kentucky State, Fort Valley State, Morgan State, Xavier University of Lousiana, Edgar Waters University, Howard University, Alcorn State, Tougaloo College, and Spelman College were threatened.

Bomb threats were also made previously against at least eight HBCUs on January 4.

Advertisement

Many of the universities temporarily closed down their campuses — some holding classes virtually.

The FBI added that some houses of worship have also been threatened, but no explosives have been discovered on any of the campuses or places of worship thus far, according to the FBI.

"The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats," said the FBI said in their statement.

Law enforcement has identified six "tech-savvy" juveniles as persons of interest, according to a report from NBC News.

{{}}