Spelman College one of several HBCUs to receive bomb threats

No devices were detected, officials said
ajc.com

Spelman College was one of several historically Black colleges and universities across the country to receive a bomb threat this week, school officials said Wednesday.

Public safety officials from the college and Atlanta police responded Tuesday to a reported threat at the Manley College Center on campus.

“After a thorough search, no devices were found and the building was secured. APD is actively investigating,” the college posted on Twitter.

Atlanta police declined further comment.

Spelman, located near Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, has about 2,200 students. The campus has been closed to students since mid-December for winter break. Most of its employees are working remotely.

At least seven other HBCUs received bomb threats Tuesday, triggering abrupt evacuations of students and employees, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The FBI said Wednesday it is aware of the threats and taking them seriously.

“As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately,” the bureau said in a statement.

Morris Brown College, which is a few blocks from Spelman is now on “high alert” for any threats, its president, Kevin E. James, said Wednesday.

Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, which are adjacent to Spelman, have not received threats, spokeswomen for the HBCUs said Wednesday afternoon. The three schools will only offer online classes from Jan. 12 through Jan. 28, due to the ongoing rise nationally in COVID-19 cases. The colleges plan to resume in-person classes on Jan. 31.

Morehouse School of Medicine, which is across the street from Spelman, has not received any threats, officials said.