Campus Alert Archive
EWU

Caller Threatens Incendiary Devices and Active Shooter Attack on Edward Waters Campus

FLbomb threatemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed HoaxDetermined to be a hoax. The institutional response is documented because it reveals how the alert system performed under a perceived real threat.

Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida, received a bomb threat around 3:30 a.m. on February 1, 2022. The caller claimed incendiary devices were placed on campus and also threatened to 'shoot up' the campus that afternoon. Jacksonville Sheriff's K-9 units completed five sweeps of the campus before the all-clear was given at 4 p.m. EWU President A. Zachary Faison Jr. stated the university 'will not be intimidated.'

Alerts
3
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
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Institution
Edward Waters University
Hbcu · FL
~1,200 studentsTiger Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction246 chars
A bomb threat and threat of violence has been reported on the EWU campus this morning. Effective immediately all in person activities, classes and university operations, including meetings and athletic practices are canceled until further notice.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from News4Jax and First Coast News reports, closely matching the social media warning described by news outlets
The threat included both incendiary devices on north, south, and east parts of campus and a threat to shoot up campus at 12:30 p.m.
The dual nature of this threat -- both bomb and active shooter -- was more specific than at many other targeted HBCUs
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction202 chars
Jacksonville Sheriff's K9 officers have completed five sweeps of the campus. The investigation is ongoing. All students should continue to shelter in place. Do not return to campus until further notice.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from First Coast News report noting five K-9 sweeps completed by noon
Despite five completed sweeps, the all-clear was not yet given because of the specific 12:30 p.m. shooting threat
ALL CLEAREmail
Approximate reconstruction179 chars
The all clear has been given for the Edward Waters University campus. No explosive devices or threats were found. Normal campus operations will resume. We will not be intimidated.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from News4Jax and First Coast News reports confirming the 4 p.m. all-clear
The 12.5-hour response time from 3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. was one of the longest among HBCUs targeted that day
President Faison's 'will not be intimidated' statement was widely covered in the media
Context

Background

Edward Waters University, a small private HBCU in Jacksonville affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, received one of the most detailed and specific bomb threats in the 2022 HBCU bomb threat wave. The caller claimed incendiary devices were placed on north, south, and east parts of campus and would detonate at 12:30 p.m., and also threatened to 'shoot up' campus that afternoon. This dual-threat required five separate K-9 sweeps by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and kept the campus locked down for over 12 hours. President A. Zachary Faison Jr.'s defiant statement that EWU 'will not be intimidated' was covered by UNCF and became one of the defining responses of the threat campaign. FBI Jacksonville assisted in the investigation.
Analysis

Key Findings

The threat was unusually specific, naming north, south, and east campus areas and including both a bomb and shooting threat with a specific detonation time
Five separate K-9 sweeps were required, resulting in one of the longest lockdowns among targeted HBCUs that day (3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
President Faison's 'will not be intimidated' statement became one of the defining responses of the HBCU bomb threat wave
The dual bomb-and-shooting threat required different response protocols to be activated simultaneously
Outcome
Jacksonville Sheriff's K-9 units completed five sweeps. All-clear given at 4 p.m. No explosive devices found. President stated university 'will not be intimidated.'
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Edward Waters 'will not be intimidated' after receiving bomb threat -- News4Jax
    news4jax.com
  2. News
    All clear given after bomb threats at Edward Waters University -- First Coast News
    firstcoastnews.com
  3. Source
    All HBCUs Stand with Edward Waters University -- UNCF
    uncf.org
  4. News
    Jacksonville police investigating 'bomb and threat of violence' at Edward Waters University -- WOKV
    wokv.com
Tags
bomb-threathbcuhbcu-bomb-wave-2022racially-motivatedblack-history-monthcoordinated-threatjacksonvilleame-church-affiliateddual-threatHoax
Added April 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion