DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A lockdown placed as a precaution due to a “potential threat to campus safety” at Bethune-Cookman University was lifted Friday morning, according to school officials.
University officials on Friday said in part in a statement, “After working with local, state and federal law enforcement, no credible threat was found and the lockdown at Bethune-Cookman University has been lifted.”
The university posted on social media about the lockdown, saying classes had been canceled and students should return to their dorms to shelter in place. The post also said faculty and staff would work remotely.
“Especially with nightfall upon us, please continue to shelter in place in your assigned residence halls,” University President Dr. Albert Mosley wrote in a message to students and faculty. “Meals and beverages have been provided for all students in the residence halls.”
It was not announced what the threat was. News 6 has reached out to the university.
The Daytona Beach Police Department said it was investigating the reported threat.
Other historically Black colleges and universities received similar threats across the country Thursday, the FBI told the Associated Press.
The schools include Southern University in Louisiana, Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, Virginia State University, and Hampton University in Virginia.
Schools were put on lockdown and in some cases, classes were cancelled.
The FBI characterized them as “hoax threat calls” with “no information to indicate a credible threat,” however, they were taking every call seriously.
Other HBCUs that did not receive threats have announced that they are tightening security.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we receive it.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.