Pennsylvania’s Villanova University Shooter Report a Hoax

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Villanova University confirmed that a report of an active shooter on its Pennsylvania campus Thursday was a false alarm, describing the event as a “cruel hoax.”

The scare began when the university issued an emergency alert warning students and staff of a possible shooter inside the Charles Widger School of Law’s Scarpa Hall. The alert instructed individuals on campus to shelter in place, lock doors, and stay away from the law school while police carried out searches.

The incident sparked an immediate and significant response from local police, federal authorities, and campus security. Officers swept through buildings to ensure safety, and students were advised to remain barricaded until further notice.

Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue later addressed the community, stating that no firearms were found and no one was injured. “Mercifully, no one was injured, and we now know that it was a cruel hoax. There was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms present on campus,” Donohue said. He acknowledged that while the outcome was a relief, the incident caused “panic and terror” across the university.

The alert was eventually updated, notifying the community that the campus was “all clear” and that students and staff no longer needed shelter in place.

The timing of the hoax added to the distress, as the university was hosting its annual orientation mass to welcome new students. Donohue said the false report disrupted what was meant to be a celebratory event and left the community shaken.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate who was responsible for making the false report. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether criminal charges will follow. Swatting incidents  in which false emergency reports are deliberately made to trigger armed law enforcement responses  have become an increasing concern at schools and universities across the United States.

Villanova officials said they will continue to prioritize campus safety and work closely with law enforcement to address threats, whether real or false. The university also expressed gratitude to police officers, emergency personnel, and staff members who responded quickly to the incident.

Though no one was harmed, officials emphasized the seriousness of the disruption caused. The false report not only created fear and confusion among students and faculty but also diverted critical law enforcement resources.

University leaders urged students and staff to support each other in the aftermath of the scare. “Today’s events have shaken our entire community,” Donohue said, adding that the school would provide counseling and resources for anyone affected by the incident.

The investigation into the hoax remains ongoing.