Emergency alert lifted at Morris Brown College after threat investigation

Normal operations have resumed at Morris Brown College after a threatening email prompted an emergency alert and a police presence on the Atlanta campus Thursday morning.

College officials initially urged students not to come to campus and instructed them to check their email and text messages for updates. In a message sent through the school’s emergency system, administrators said they had received notification of a potential threat.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all students and employees should not report to classes until further notice,” the message stated.

A spokesperson for campus security said staff received an email containing multiple racial slurs and threats, prompting officials to alert law enforcement. The college said it worked closely with the Atlanta Police Department and other agencies while the situation was assessed.

Morris Brown College President Kevin James said the incident was part of a broader pattern of threats targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Morris Brown College acted swiftly to communicate with faculty, staff, and students through our emergency management system and temporarily transitioned to virtual learning and operations,” James said. “After working closely with law enforcement, we have been cleared to resume normal campus operations.”

Classes and campus activities have since returned to normal. The investigation into the threats remains ongoing.