Villanova College mentioned a report of a potential shooter at its legislation college was a “merciless hoax,” after it issued an alert warning of an energetic shooter on its Pennsylvania campus on Thursday.
“Mercifully, nobody was injured, and we now know that it was a merciless hoax — there was no energetic shooter, no accidents and no proof of firearms current on campus,” Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue mentioned in a press release to the varsity neighborhood. “Whereas that may be a blessing and a aid, I do know in the present day’s occasions have shaken our complete neighborhood.”
On this display shot from a video, legislation enforcement officers are proven on the scene of a taking pictures at Villanova College, Aug. 21, 2025.
WPVI
The incident, which occurred as the varsity was celebrating its orientation mass to welcome new college students, sparked a big native and federal legislation enforcement response, and “panic and terror ensued,” Donohue mentioned.
The college had issued an energetic shooter alert, telling college students to remain away from Legislation Faculty Scarpa Corridor and lock and barricade doorways whereas police carried out sweeps of the campus.
It was later up to date to report that the incident was resolved, saying, “The campus is all clear. You now not must shelter in place.”
On this display shot from a video, legislation enforcement officers are proven on the scene of a taking pictures at Villanova College, Aug. 21, 2025.
WPVI
Delaware County District Lawyer Jack Stollsteimer mentioned his workplace and the FBI are going to analyze.
“We’re all going to work to attempt to resolve who may need finished this,” he mentioned throughout a press briefing Thursday night.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro famous that swatting is unlawful, and that he has directed Pennsylvania State Police to “use each instrument at our disposal to search out the individual or individuals who known as on this faux menace and maintain them accountable.”
“I do know in the present day was each guardian’s nightmare, and each pupil’s largest worry,” he mentioned in a press release on X. “I am profoundly grateful nobody was harm, and grateful to all members of legislation enforcement who ran in the direction of stories of hazard to maintain Pennsylvanians secure.”
On this display shot from a video, legislation enforcement officers are proven on the scene of a taking pictures at Villanova College, Aug. 21, 2025.
WPVI
Police obtained a name round 4:30 p.m. Thursday saying there was an energetic shooter within the legislation college constructing, and at the least one sufferer was injured, in accordance with Stollsteimer.
“That has turned out to not be true,” he mentioned. “There was by no means an energetic shooter on the campus.”
The Radnor Township Police Division, which responded to the campus, mentioned there have been no reported victims as police continued to clear buildings.
“It’s secure,” Radnor Township Superintendent of Police Christopher Flanagan mentioned on the briefing. “Proper now we’re reporting no accidents.”
He reiterated that such hoaxes are a criminal offense.
“It is a critical concern. It’s a crime. It’s incorrect. We’re caring for that,” he mentioned.
The campus is positioned roughly 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia’s Middle Metropolis.
One other unfounded energetic shooter scare occurred earlier Thursday on the College of Tennessee in Chattanooga.
Round 12:30 p.m., a 911 name got here in “indicating that there was an energetic shooter” on the campus, the varsity said. State, county and federal companies responded, and members of the varsity neighborhood have been suggested to “Run. Disguise. Combat.”
After a number of areas of the campus have been cleared, there was no proof of any taking pictures or accidents reported, the college mentioned.
That incident can also be below investigation by a number of companies, together with the FBI, the varsity mentioned.
