Hampton University Lockdown Lifted After Bomb Threat

Newport News VA

23 February, 2022

10:58 AM

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HAMPTON, VA — A lockdown at Hampton University in Virginia has been lifted as police continue to investigate a bomb threat made Wednesday against the historically Black college. Authorities on Wednesday confirmed the threat was called in just before 9 a.m. ET, Hampton police said in a statement. Hampton students and staff were told to shelter in place while police and fire investigated, WAVY reported. A sweep of the campus by local, state, and federal agencies found no evidence of a bomb, and the lockdown was lifted around 11:45 a.m., according to WAVY. Wednesday's threat against Hampton University is the latest in a string of bomb threats aimed at historically Black colleges and universities. 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. RELATED: Historically Black Schools Across U.S. Reckon With Bomb Threats