The FBI believes that one juvenile is responsible for most of the racially motivated threats of violence targeting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from January 4 through February 1.
Since January 2022, more than 50 HBCUs, houses of worship, and other faith-based and academic institutions across the U.S. have received racially motivated threats of violence. Some of the HBCUs that received bomb threats included Coppin State University in Baltimore, Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia, Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky, Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida, Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi, Spelman College in Atlanta, Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, Howard University, the University of District of Columbia, Morgan State University, and others, including Bethune-Cookman University, Bowie State, Southern University and A&M, Albany State, and Delaware State University.
Initially, the FBI identified several minors believed to be responsible for the threats made between January 4 and February 1. However, further investigation narrowed down the list of suspects to one juvenile.
“Given the federal limitations for charging under-age perpetrators with federal crimes, the Department of Justice worked with state prosecutors to hold them accountable on charges unrelated to the specific threats to the HBCUs,” the FBI said in a statement. “This individual is under restrictions and monitoring of his online activities.”
Because the person is a minor, no additional information has been provided.
The FBI continues to investigate other unrelated threats that they believe originated overseas. They include:
- “A distinct set of threats primarily targeting HBCUs received between February 8 and March 2, affecting at least 19 institutions.
- “A distinct set of threats which began June 7 and are ongoing. More than 250 colleges—including seven HBCUs—over 100 high schools, and two junior high schools received bomb and/or active shooter threats.”
The FBI is asking anyone with information to report it to 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov.