Just hours after Texas Senator Ted Cruz condemned ongoing bomb threats against historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the FBI has announced that six “juvenile” individuals have been identified as the likely perpetrators. Despite dozens of threats having surfaced across the nation, no bombs have been found at any college.
“These threats of violence against historically black colleges and universities are abhorrent. No one should be threatened or targeted because of the color of their skin,” Cruz said in a statement posted on February 2. “Law enforcement can, will, and must find the cowards responsible for creating fear in these communities and bring them to justice.”
According to several news reports, the Federal Bureau of Investigations is seeking six individuals who are currently considered persons of interest. The individuals are believed to be “tech savvy” juveniles who are using sophisticated techniques to attempt to evade detection. The FBI has said the threats appear to be racially-motivated.
The first batch of bomb threats were reported early on February 1, coinciding with the first day of Black History Month in the U.S. One of the first confirmed threats was received by Howard University in Washington D.C. NBC Washington reports that an emergency alert was issued to staff of the historically Black college at 3:29 a.m. on Tuesday. Since then, more than a dozen institutions have received similar threats.
Thus far, none of the nine HBCUs in Texas have reported threats. Campuses that received threats include Howard, the University of the District of Columbia, Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Edward Waters University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, Spelman College, Jackson State University, and Tougaloo College. Most of these colleges are located in the South.
These new threats follow threats made in January 2022 against at least eight HBCUs, including Prairie View A&M University in Houston. None of those bomb threats were determined to be credible and no suspects were named by law enforcement during the initial investigation.
“The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats,” a statement issued by the agency read. “As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately.”
Many of the campuses have ordered evacuations or initiated lockdowns in response to the threats, while investigators go room-to-room searching for possible explosive devices.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday that the Administration takes the threats seriously.
“Our homeland security advisor here in the White House, Liz Sherwood-Randall, is providing regular updates to senior staff, to the President as well,” Psaki told White House reporters Tuesday. “And he certainly is aware of the latest instance of bomb threats not just yesterday, but also those this morning. And let me just reiterate that we condemn these disturbing threats, and our thoughts are with the students, faculty, and staff of these storied institutions. We have been long supporters and have made historic investments in HBCUs and deeply value the significant role they continue to play in advancing opportunity for black students across America.”
The FBI has not said whether the six juveniles are likely the culprits, but instead are persons of interest. They have not confirmed where the individuals live or whether they know one another, nor have they released any information about potential motivations for the bomb threats.