FBI says HBCU’s were targets of a hoax

America is at the height of yet another newsworthy moment in 2025, Charlie Kirk’s death, which some speculate is the cause for Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) receiving threats of potential racially targeted retaliation from right wing political supporters. On Sept 11, a select few HBCUs were targets of campus threats, a day after conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative right-wing organization, Charlie Kirk was killed during one of his campus debates at Utah Valley University.

Hampton University, Virginia State University, Bethune-Cookman University (BCU), Southern University, and Alabama State University were put on lockdown on Thursday and Friday after receiving threats, according to officials.

Virginia State University president Makola M. Abdullah addressed the threats made to his campus after lifting the lockdown this afternoon.

“Today, Virginia State University—along with several other Historically Black Colleges and Universities—received a threat intended to disrupt, intimidate, and instill fear in our community. In response, we took immediate action, including a temporary campus lockdown, which has since been lifted with restrictions. Thankfully, no injuries or incidents were reported,” Abdullah said in the written press release.

“Let us be clear: these threats are not random. They are targeted attacks on institutions that have long stood as pillars of excellence, empowerment, and progress. HBCUs exist because we refuse to be denied an education—and we thrive because we continue to rise in the face of adversity,” Abdullah continued.

While nothing happened, students are still scared of what potentially can happen.
“When I got that email, it didn’t specifically say it was a threat. It was more like it was a lockdown,” said Camarae’ Bickley, a sophomore at Bethune-Cookman. “I thought there was a shooter on the campus, and I was freaking out really bad because at that time, I was getting ready for class. But a few minutes later, they sent an email saying that it was a threat.”

Freshman Chance Grant said the restrictions were overwhelming. “It’s been concerning a little bit by not letting us look out the windows or not be on our phones,” Grant said. “It’s just been overwhelming and stressful.”

In a statement, the Congressional Black Caucus said these threats were designed to intimidate and “foment” hate, especially on Black college campuses.

“The threats made against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities are not only vile,” said Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke;
“They are a chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism that continues to target and terrorize Black communities in this country.”

Other Black political leaders released statements regarding the threats.

“The violent threats made today against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the nation are despicable and yet another indication that the explosion of hateful extremism is out of control,” said Hakeem Jefferies, House Democratic Leader (N.Y.), in a statement.

The FBI issued a statement calling the threats a “hoax” and said they had no information of a credible threat. But they said they would continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas said HBCUs have been safe havens since they were created.
“It is not ok for anyone to be targeted for violence,” she said. “My heart aches for the constant trauma that students consistently experience simply because some lack the courage to do better!”

Kirk was a polarizing YouTube personality who made controversial statements during his campus debates across colleges, rallying young conservatives and challenging young liberals on their ideology. While there’s no direct connection between the two incidents, this wouldn’t be the first time right-wing groups used moments like these to target Black people or showcase their racism overall.

One of Kirk’s statements that went viral was his thoughts on gun rights. “I think it’s worth having a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights,” Kirk said during a Turning Point event in Salt Lake City in 2023, adding that gun deaths can be reduced but will never go away.

On Monday, FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced the name of the suspect who is being charged with the shooting and murder of Kirk as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native. Robinson was turned in to the authorities by his father as he recognized his son from released photos on the news.

At this current moment, no motive has been revealed as to why Robinson shot Kirk. Still, according to authorities, four bullet casings were found with inscriptions near the alleged assassin’s rifle. The inscriptions read: “Notices Buldge OWO what’s this?”, “Hey fascist! CATCH!” with the following symbols: up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrows, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao.”, and “If you read this, you are GAY Lmao.” The inscriptions seemed to reference “meme” culture and anti-fascist resistance.