St. Louis was one of several cities around the country to report bomb threats yesterday at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) The threats came on the first day of Black History Month. The target in St. Louis was Harris-Stowe State University, which dates to 1857. From a report at KSDK:
The first day of Black History Month began with bomb threats for several Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country, including Harris-Stowe University, where classes were canceled and moved to remote learning.
St. Louis police were called there shortly after 4:30 a.m. for a report of a bomb threat at the campus in mid-town St. Louis. Police swept the campus and gave the “all clear,” according to St. Louis police spokeswoman Evita Caldwell.
“Whether or not it’s connected to a national issue would be part of the ongoing investigation,” Caldwell said.
In an era where Donald Trump supporters conducted a deadly assault at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, it's not unreasonable to think the threats could be part of a national issue:
A police source tells 5 On Your Side a man called the university, threatening to blow it up and kill as many Black students as he could. Police canines helped search the campus, and no explosives were found.
Harris-Stowe University also contacted the FBI, according to a press release from the university.
“We are working with the proper authorities to thoroughly investigate this potential threat,” the release stated. “The safety of our campus community is paramount, and we are taking every step, in conjunction with campus safety, law enforcement and the FBI to ensure the well-being of our community.”
That includes canceling classes. Harris-Stowe University later announced classes would be held remotely for the remainder of Tuesday and campus activities were canceled for the day.
Due to weather, the campus would continue remote instruction until Friday.
NBC News reports other Historically Black Colleges and Universities were targeted Monday, including:
- Howard University in Washington D.C.
- Southern University, A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida
- Albany State University in Georgia
- Bowie State University in Maryland
- Delaware State University