Multiple Black universities in US close after receiving coordinated threats: Report

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Several historically Black colleges and universities in the US were closed on Thursday after receiving potential threats, with the FBI confirming it is investigating "hoax threat calls" to multiple institutions, ABC News reported.

The closures followed Wednesday's fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during a campus event at Utah Valley University.

Alabama State University, Virginia State University, Hampton University in Virginia, Southern University in Louisiana, and Clark Atlanta University in Georgia all announced closures as a precaution.

Hampton University suspended all "non-essential" activities, including sporting events, on Thursday and Friday, according to its website. Virginia State University announced its continued closure "out of an abundance of caution" as campus, local, state, and federal law enforcement investigated the threat's credibility.

Southern University in the US state of Louisiana closed its entire Baton Rouge campus, including the Law Center, with the community encouraged to "shelter in place until further notice." Despite lifting the closure on Thursday afternoon, the university canceled all campus activities and classes through the weekend.

Bethune-Cookman University in Florida also closed due to potential campus security threats.

The FBI said it takes "these threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk," while noting no information indicated credible threats.

School officials at Hampton and Alabama State confirmed to ABC that no physical incidents occurred involving students or faculty.