University of Delaware, Delaware State University evacuate campus buildings due to threats

At least two Delaware universities have evacuated school buildings in light of safety threats on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Delaware State University evacuated campus halls, canceled classes and sent most employees home for the rest of the day after a bomb threat just before 11 a.m., “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a statement from the university police. Delaware’s sole HBCU received the threat with coordination from state and federal law enforcement.

On the same day up in Newark, the University of Delaware issued an alert of “police activity” just before noon.

“Please evacuate Gore Hall, Sharp Lab, and Mitchell Hall. Avoid the area and follow all instructions from police,” the alert read. University spokespeople later issued a statement to media describing a “potential campus safety incident,” and confirming the evacuations but not indicating the type of threat.

Newark Police Department also issued a traffic alert just after noon, having closed South College Avenue in both directions between Delaware Avenue and Park Place due to university police activity. Drivers should expect continued delays, according to police.

In neither Delaware incident has active violence been indicated, as of 12:30 p.m.

Across the region Sept. 30, other bomb threats were reported at Towson and Morgan State universities in Maryland, according to reporting from the Baltimore Banner. Alabama A&M was also investigating a bomb threat on Sept. 30.

Earlier this month, a wave of threats across historically Black colleges and universities are now believed to be hoaxes, as USA TODAY reported Sept. 12, but the same false bomb warnings and “hoax threat calls” disrupted classes and spread fear on campuses.

Police said more updates would be provided as available.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.