Alabama State University was briefly on lockdown Thursday morning because of a “terroristic threat” aimed at the campus.The university sent a statement to WVTM, stating that campus operations had been shut down that morning into the afternoon:”Alabama State University has received the all-clear from law enforcement and University officials. While the immediate threat has been resolved, all non-essential day-to-day operations remain suspended for the remainder of the day, and the campus is still closed to the public. We are still asking all students to shelter-in-place in their residence halls until further notice. The safety and well-being of our Hornet family continues to be our top priority.”The threat was sent in the form of an email, which the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has since identified as a case of swatting.”ALEA has also seen reports of similar swatting emails and calls targeting universities nationwide,” the agency said. “Federal partners are engaged in the investigation and are working closely with state and local authorities to address these incidents. ALEA reminds the public that swatting is a serious crime which can place lives in danger, strain emergency resources, and will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”Six other historically Black colleges and universities were closed or on lockdown because of terroristic threats, according to our Hearst sister stations and NBC affiliates.FloridaIn Florida, Bethune-Cookman University is on lockdown and classes have been canceled after “a potential threat to campus safety” was made, the school told sister station WESH.GeorgiaClark Atlanta University received threats and is on lockdown, prompting Spelman College to also lock down. The Spelman lockdown was lifted about 1 p.m., according to its social media page.LouisianaSouthern University is on lockdown due to a potential threat, according to NBC affiliate WAFB. VirginiaVirginia State University and Hampton University closed for terroristic threats, according to our NBC affiliates WWBT and WAVY. Other HBCUs in AlabamaThe communications officer for Talladega College told WVTM 13 that they “haven’t experienced any security issues” at this time. Miles College told WVTM 13 that it “has not experienced any security issues” on campus Thursday and has a response plan in place if needed.Bishop State Community College in Mobile told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville has told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.Lawson State Community College told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.Selma University said it has not received any threats.WVTM 13 is reaching out to all of the HBCUs in our state at this time.This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
Alabama State University was briefly on lockdown Thursday morning because of a “terroristic threat” aimed at the campus.
The university sent a statement to WVTM, stating that campus operations had been shut down that morning into the afternoon:
“Alabama State University has received the all-clear from law enforcement and University officials. While the immediate threat has been resolved, all non-essential day-to-day operations remain suspended for the remainder of the day, and the campus is still closed to the public. We are still asking all students to shelter-in-place in their residence halls until further notice. The safety and well-being of our Hornet family continues to be our top priority.”
The threat was sent in the form of an email, which the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has since identified as a case of swatting.
“ALEA has also seen reports of similar swatting emails and calls targeting universities nationwide,” the agency said. “Federal partners are engaged in the investigation and are working closely with state and local authorities to address these incidents. ALEA reminds the public that swatting is a serious crime which can place lives in danger, strain emergency resources, and will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Six other historically Black colleges and universities were closed or on lockdown because of terroristic threats, according to our Hearst sister stations and NBC affiliates.
Florida
In Florida, Bethune-Cookman University is on lockdown and classes have been canceled after “a potential threat to campus safety” was made, the school told sister station WESH.
Georgia
Clark Atlanta University received threats and is on lockdown, prompting Spelman College to also lock down. The Spelman lockdown was lifted about 1 p.m., according to its social media page.
Louisiana
Southern University is on lockdown due to a potential threat, according to NBC affiliate WAFB.
Virginia
Virginia State University and Hampton University closed for terroristic threats, according to our NBC affiliates WWBT and WAVY.
Other HBCUs in Alabama
The communications officer for Talladega College told WVTM 13 that they “haven’t experienced any security issues” at this time.
Miles College told WVTM 13 that it “has not experienced any security issues” on campus Thursday and has a response plan in place if needed.
Bishop State Community College in Mobile told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.
J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville has told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.
Lawson State Community College told WVTM 13 that it has not received any threats.
Selma University said it has not received any threats.
WVTM 13 is reaching out to all of the HBCUs in our state at this time.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
