Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) said Thursday they have received campus threats, a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University.

Hampton University, Virginia State University, Bethune Cookman University (BCU), Southern University, and Alabama State University are all on lockdown after receiving threats, according to officials.

“Hampton University has received notice of a potential threat and has ceased all non-essential activity, effective immediately," the school, located just outside of Newport News, Va., wrote in a statement posted to social media. 

"The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remain our highest priority," the officials added.

State police are on the scene investigating the incident, local news outlet WAVY TV 10 reported.

All campus activities and classes were canceled for the rest of the week.

Virginia State University in Petersburg — near Richmond, Va. — said it was on “lockdown” due to a potential threat to the community. Alabama State University in Montgomery directed its students to shelter in place Thursday out of an abundance of caution.

BCU officials said all classes have been canceled and urged students to return to their dorm rooms and shelter in place.

"All faculty and staff should head home and those not on campus should plan to work remotely," the school, located in Daytona Beach, Fla., wrote in a post online. "Safety is our first priority, and we will continue to provide updates."

Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., said the school was working with law enforcement agencies to address potential threats.

Spelman College, located near Atlanta, is also on lockdown — though the administration said the campus has not faced threats.

"At this time, no threats have been directed toward Spelman’s campus. However, we have increased security presence across campus and at our two main entrances," officials wrote. "Your safety remains our top priority. Please stay tuned for updates."

Nearby Clark Atlanta University has received threats, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The threats come just a day after Kirk was killed after being shot in the neck during a debate with a student about gun violence. The event in Orem, Utah, was part of the Turning Point USA co-founder's "The American Comeback Tour."

The shooter is still at large, but law enforcement officials have recovered what is believed to be the rifle used in the assassination of Kirk.

A separate shooting at a high school in Colorado occurred at the same time. Two students were injured in the incident.

In 2025, at least 100 incidents of gunfire on school grounds were reported, resulting in 32 deaths and 98 injuries nationally, according to Everytown for Gun Safety’s public tracker. 

The last time HBCU campuses faced collective threats came in 2022, when at least 19 of the 49 institutions across the country faced repeated bomb threats. The Department of Homeland Security opened an active investigation into the incidents, which were eventually linked to a juvenile prank caller.

Updated at 1:29 p.m. EDT.