All Clear At Norfolk State University Following Bomb Threat

NORFOLK, VA — Authorities gave the all-clear after a bomb threat prompted students and staff at Norfolk State University to shelter in place for nearly three hours Friday, according to a report.

The historically Black college in Norfolk confirmed the threat on social media shortly before 9:30 a.m. Bomb dogs searched the campus and authorities gave the all-clear just before 12:30 p.m., WAVY reported.

Norfolk State University was the second historically Black college to be targeted by a bomb threat Friday. Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina was evacuated Friday morning due to a similar threat, according to a tweet from the college.

Friday's threats against Norfolk State University and Elizabeth City State University are the latest in a string of bomb threats aimed at historically Black colleges and universities in recent weeks.

RELATED: Historically Black Schools Across U.S. Reckon With Bomb Threats

More than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities received threats earlier this month, prompting lockdowns and disrupting classes for two consecutive days. In early January, eight HBCUs received similar threats that triggered lockdowns and evacuations.
Authorities haven't found bombs or explosive devices in any of the HBCU incidents.

Earlier this week, Hampton University in Virginia also was the target of a bomb threat.

University of North Carolina President Peter Hans released a statement Friday addressing the violence meant to "divide and intimidate" historically black colleges.

"Over the course of our history, Black Americans have far too often faced violence and intimidation for daring to learn and study. The recent bomb scares are a reminder of that painful past and of the barriers that many of our students still face on the path to higher education," Hans said. "We will not be intimidated by these threats."