September 12, 2025 — Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the southern United States were placed on lockdown or canceled classes Thursday following reports of potential threats to campus safety.
Among the institutions affected were Hampton University and Virginia State University in Virginia, Bethune-Cookman University in Florida, and Alabama State University in Montgomery. Each issued emergency alerts or social media statements warning of unspecified threats and urging students and staff to shelter in place or stay off campus until further notice.
Spelman College in Atlanta also issued a shelter-in-place order, which was lifted later in the afternoon. The alert was triggered after neighboring Clark Atlanta University received a direct threat, according to college officials. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed it is assisting in the investigation.
The source and credibility of the threats have not yet been publicly confirmed, but law enforcement agencies are treating them seriously in light of a nationwide surge in campus safety incidents and hoax threats.
Context: A Week of Escalating Campus Tensions
The lockdowns come just one day after Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University. That incident followed months of heightened tensions and protests surrounding Kirk’s campus appearances, which often drew both supporters and large demonstrations.
Several prior events involving Kirk and Turning Point USA were either disrupted by violence or canceled due to security threats:
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In Tempe, Arizona, police arrested a man in 2023 for threatening Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. Charges were later dropped.
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In 2022, a Texas man who threatened a “day of retribution” at a Turning Point event in Florida was sentenced to five years in prison.
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A Washington state church canceled a Kirk event in 2021 after receiving threats of violence against its leadership and surrounding community.
Turning Point USA said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday that Kirk had received “thousands” of threats over his public career but remained committed to youth outreach. “He always prioritized reaching as many young Americans as possible over his own personal safety,” the organization said.
Possible Connection Under Review
While officials have not explicitly linked Thursday’s HBCU lockdowns to Kirk’s death, the timing has raised concerns amid a backdrop of increasingly politicized and polarized campus environments. Law enforcement is actively investigating whether the threats were coordinated or part of a larger campaign of intimidation.
An official familiar with campus security briefings told CNN that authorities are evaluating whether the incidents were part of a copycat wave, similar to past surges in active shooter hoaxes and “swatting” calls targeting schools.
Additionally, recent Turning Point events—including at the same Utah campus—have been marred by confrontations, vandalism, and clashes involving far-right groups like the Proud Boys, according to local reports.
Security on Edge
Former Congressman Bob McEwen, an adviser to Turning Point USA, told CNN that Kirk and his family had long required a full-time security detail. Just days before the shooting, Kirk was reportedly warned that he would likely need personal protection indefinitely. “Yeah, I’m afraid so,” he replied, according to McEwen.
The increasing politicization of campus discourse, particularly around speakers like Kirk, has created a volatile environment at universities across the country, prompting tighter security, event cancellations, and growing concerns over the safety of both students and speakers.
Investigations Ongoing
Authorities from multiple jurisdictions are working to identify the origin of the threats made against HBCUs and to determine whether they were credible or coordinated.
As of Friday morning, no injuries or weapons have been reported, and lockdowns at several campuses have been lifted. However, many institutions are maintaining heightened security and urging students to remain vigilant.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have not ruled out the possibility that the threats were intended to intimidate or disrupt life at Black colleges specifically. The Department of Homeland Security has previously warned that HBCUs can be vulnerable to ideologically motivated threats.
