Norfolk State University and Elizabeth City State University sadly received bomb threats today. Get the story from WTKR News 3 staff below.
Norfolk State University and Elizabeth City State University have both received bomb threats early Friday morning.
These two schools are the latest historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) around the nation to receive bomb threats.
The Norfolk State University Police Department has issued an all-clear regarding this morning’s bomb threat. The campus has resumed to normal operations and the incident is still under investigation.
An all-clear was also issued at ECSU after law enforcement inspected the dorms and perimeter buildings. Students are now allowed to return to their residence halls, but are still asked to shelter in place as local and federal law enforcement agencies are still on campus.
Later Friday, ECSU officials announced all operations are back to normal on campus.
The FBI is in charge of the investigation.
The ECSU Police Department received a call Friday morning from an unknown number with a bomb threat. Within minutes, the university was executing its emergency response plan to alert and evacuate campus, and law enforcement partners had responded to the scene.
Every building on the ECSU campus was searched, and no threat was found.
The university has returned to normal operations, and employees will resume their normal working schedule.
“We are grateful that students, faculty and staff are safe and sound. Thank you to the University Police Department and our law enforcement partners who acted quickly and supported us in responding to this threat today,” said Chancellor Karri G. Dixon.
The two schools posted that they received threats on social media to inform the public.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a statement on the recent pattern of bomb threats made to HBCUs across the country:
“I am angry and deeply concerned by the recent pattern of bomb threats plaguing our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Today, I spoke to the presidents of Virginia’s HBCUs regarding the disturbing repeated threats on their schools. Next week, I will ask the General Assembly to provide emergency funding to our HBCUs for security and campus safety. I am committed to harnessing state resources to support these institutions and will work together with them on a continued coordinated response that ensures the safety of our HBCU students and faculty.”
– Gov. Glenn Youngkin
