Howard University confirmed it was increasing security on its Washington, D.C., campus following an anonymous death threat posted online on Wednesday night.
"We are aware of the threat made against the University and its students and are working with campus, local, and federal law enforcement on this serious matter," university president Wayne Frederick wrote in an email to students that was also posted on the university's Twitter account. "In an abundance of caution, the University has increased security on campus and at area metro stations," he added, asking students to "stay vigilant."
Statement concerning threat pic.twitter.com/S1UvaSf6PO— Howard University (@HowardU) November 12, 2015
Mashable reached out to a spokesperson at Howard University for more information. The FBI confirmed the threat in a statement early Thursday afternoon.
"We are aware of the online threat and have made appropriate notifications," the FBI said in a statement to the Washington City Paper. "We urge anyone who has information about the threat to contact the Metropolitan Police Department or the FBI."
Late Thursday, Howard University stated the online threat was not "followed by any additional threats or suspicious activity."
UPDATE: Statement concerning threat https://t.co/ztRt9cBeuG pic.twitter.com/oG80IAEPyM— Howard University (@HowardU) November 13, 2015
The threat was posted on a forum that appears to be a 4chan board, a photograph of the post has been shared widely on Twitter and Instagram.
Somebody made a death threat to Howard University. Be safe, guys pic.twitter.com/4eEcRn6Vze— Hi. It's me. (@AndreLowrenso) November 12, 2015
The anonymous poster states that "any n*ggers left at Howard University after 10 tomorrow will be the first to go. And any of those cheapskate n*ggers who try to get out using the metro will regret that choice real fast."
It adds that the person "left MU yesterday because I couldn't put up with it anymore" and had returned to the Maryland area, suggesting that he or she was at the University of Missouri during the protests over racism on campus that toppled that school's leaders there.
More than 90% of Howard University's students are black, according to data from Forbes.
Students on Twitter weren't sure how seriously they should take the threat.
I don't if that threat against Howard is real or not. But with everything happening now, you can never be too sure. Stay safe HU — Salihah (@saliyliy_) November 12, 2015
Is this death threat at Howard really real?— oh-say (@1017seei) November 12, 2015
I don't think the death threat at Howard is real at all BUT be safe out there regardless. People so crazy— Eboniy Berry (@WhyULookin4Me) November 12, 2015
At least one professor reportedly told her students it wasn't "real," but they could stay home regardless.
According to Howard Officials and the FBI the threat isn't real. pic.twitter.com/MNeKXgPVhp— Jareyah Bradley (@jareyahb) November 12, 2015
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