Howard University.Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The FBI has identified six juveniles as persons of interest in a nationwide series of bomb threats to historically Black colleges, universities and houses of worship,NBC News, theWall Street Journaland theNew York Timesreported.
A law enforcement official said the six juveniles from around the country were considered “tech savvy,” NBC reports.
The juveniles are believed to have made the calls using a disguised phone number, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.
The FBI declined to comment about the persons of interest to PEOPLE.
In a Feb. 2 statement, the FBI said the threats were being “investigated as racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes.”
More than a dozen of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were on lock down after receiving bomb threats on Tuesday, the first day of Black History Month.
Howard Universityin Washington, D.C., is among several HBCUs to have reported bomb threats beginning Tuesday morning, sending emergency alerts to students and faculty for a campus-wide lockdown.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces is leading the investigation into the bomb threats.
“This investigation is of the highest priority for the Bureau and involves more than 20 FBI field offices across the country,” the statement said. “Although at this time no explosive devices have been found at any of the locations, the FBI takes all threats with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to thoroughly and aggressively investigating these threats.”
Along with Howard, theUniversity 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, andTougaloo Collegeall received bomb threats Tuesday, according to social media alerts from university officials.
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Additionally, at least six HBCUs — Howard University,Bethune-Cookman University,Southern University,Albany State University,Bowie State UniversityandDelaware State University— also received bomb threats on Monday. No real threats were found after investigation.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary,told reportersthat the recent bomb threats at HBCUs are “disturbing” and President Biden is aware of theissue and is “working closely” with law enforcement during this time.
The NAACP also announced that the organization is “monitoring” the incident before urging local, state, and national officials to “remain vigilant” as investigations continue.
source: people.com
