Fisk University locks down after bomb threat, following string of cases at historically Black schools

Fisk University closed its campus Monday morning after officials were alerted to a bomb threat.

At about 9 a.m., Fisk University began to evacuate and lock down the campus. Metro Nashville Police officers arrived shortly after to investigate and determined the school was safe.

Fisk University has never experienced a bomb threat, and it has shaken the campus, says spokesperson Jens Frederiksen.

“These are institutions of hope and higher education and inspiration,” Frederiksen said. “We’re obviously living in times that are challenging enough as is, and so things like this just obviously adds another layer of really unfortunate circumstances.”

Bomb threats have recently been plaguing historically Black colleges and universities. Since January, at least two dozen schools across the nation have received threats — with Howard University receiving a fourth on Monday. The FBI continues to investigate these cases.

Before the threat, Fisk University had already added additional campus security. The school may consider additional measures, Frederiksen says.

“We’re remaining very vigilant and thoughtful in how we tackle this, considering the climate,” he said.

Classes will resume Tuesday.

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Frederiksen’s first name. It’s Jens, not Yens.