Harris-Stowe State University in Missouri among latest HBCUs to receive bomb threat
Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis closed its campus on Tuesday in response to a bomb threat that comes as several other historically Black universities have received similar threats across the country.
On Tuesday morning, the first day of Black History Month, the university issued an alert saying not to report to campus as authorities investigated. By Tuesday evening, the university said an “all-clear” had been issued after an investigation led by local police and the FBI, though classes would be held virtually through the week in the face of inclement weather.
“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,” the university said in a statement.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have said they are investigating the series of threats. Harris-Stowe reported its threat to FBI officials.
U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, 1st District, a graduate of the university, issued a statement Tuesday calling the latest series of threats a “violent backlash of white supremacy.”
“We are already engaged in active conversations with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure that we secure the safety of our HBCUs across the country. But to anyone who thinks these kinds of threats will stop Black excellence, hear me say this: we are unstoppable.”
The bomb scare at Harris-Stowe comes one day after at least six other historically Black universities were threatened, including Howard University, Bowie State University and Bethune-Cookman. Bomb technicians and explosive-sniffing dogs were deployed in several of the institutions; no explosives were reported to be found.
Harris-Stowe is one of two historically Black universities in Missouri. The other is Lincoln University in Jefferson City, which has not received a threat but is aware of the situation.
In a joint statement from Lincoln University President Dr. John B. Moseley and the and Campus Police Chief Gary L. Hill, leaders assured the campus that the situation is being “proactively monitored.”
“To our fellow HBCU families, we are keeping you in our prayers and stand tall beside you in the face of threat.”
Anyone with information about the bomb threats may contact the ATF at 888-283-8477 or the FBI at 800-225-5324.
