A threat about a Black Lives Matter mural prompted a North Carolina university to issue a "shelter in place" alert, officials say.
University of North Carolina Asheville on Friday morning urged people to stay away from its campus.
"Due to a threat to the UNC Asheville community there will be no in-person classes, practices or activities on campus today," school officials wrote on Facebook at about 7:30 a.m. "All residential students should shelter in place, all non-essential personnel should return home."
The school on its website also said Friday's virtual classes were canceled.
The notices came after UNC Asheville received a demand to paint over street art that was created last month, according to officials. The mural features the words "Black Lives Matter" painted onto pavement along University Heights.
State and local authorities are investigating the threat, which came through email and targeted people in the university community, according to UNC Asheville.
"We are working with the authorities to keep our campus safe and to return to the work of the University as soon as possible," the school wrote on its website.
While the campus is under lockdown, the university said it approves of one-on-one "or small group virtual connections that folks want to have to support one another." It shared information about on-campus counseling services in a 10 a.m. update.
The campus is expected to be closed through at least Saturday morning, according to officials.
UNC Asheville is part of the University of North Carolina system and has about 3,300 students enrolled in the fall semester.
About 38% of undergraduates live on campus, a portion that has fallen this year due to the coronavirus, according to school data.
