Report of shooter at Villanova University was 'cruel hoax,' president says
This version of Live Updates Villanova University Shooting Rcna226449 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.
The community at the Pennsylvania school was warned to move to secure locations and lock and barricade doors while authorities investigated the report of an active shooter.
What we know
- Villanova University issued an active shooting alert this afternoon, urging everyone on campus to “Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors."
- The school's president later said the situation was a "cruel hoax — there was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms present on campus."
- Today was new student orientation at the private Catholic university in Villanova, Pennsylvania, according to the school's website.
- It was the second shooting scare at an American college today. A false threat was also reported at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus.
Police are clearing the scene
Officials are clearing the scene at Villanova University.
The Radnor Township Police Department, the Villanova Public Safety Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the district attorney's office are among the agencies at the scene.
"We are thankful to confirm that there is no evidence of an active shooter incident or victims," Radnor Township police said, adding, "We could not be more proud of our Villanova community for following the shelter in place practices and allowing law enforcement to methodically investigate the incident."
The hoax is under investigation by the FBI, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and Radnor Township police.
Second university shooter hoax today
The Villanova hoax is the second at an American college today.
Earlier today, there was an active shooter report on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, which was determined to be a false threat.
"There was no evidence of any shooting or other threat to the University community, and no injuries were reported," the Tennessee university's police department said.
Local law enforcement and the FBI are investigating.
Gov. Shapiro vows to find people responsible for fake Villanova threat
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said today's active shooter report at Villanova was "unfounded" and a "cruel swatting incident — when someone calls in a fake threat to induce panic."
"Swatting is illegal. I’ve directed @PAStatePolice to work alongside their partners and use every tool at our disposal to find the person or people who called in this fake threat and hold them accountable," he wrote on X.
Shapiro thanked law enforcement who raced to the scene.
"I know today was every parent’s nightmare, and every student’s biggest fear. I’m profoundly grateful no one was hurt," he said.
The university said in a statement that the school's Department of Public Safety received an anonymous report around 4:30 p.m. of an active shooter in the Charles Widger School of Law. The report was determined to be false and a hoax, it said.
Photos of the scene at Villanova University
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Students at Villanova University were alerted to reports of an active shooter situation on campus today. Officials later said the report of a shooting at the law school was a hoax.
Villanova president says incident was a 'cruel hoax'
The reported active shooter incident on Villanova’s campus today was a “cruel hoax,” said the university’s president, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue.
“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,” he wrote in an email to the school community.
“While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community,” he added.
Donohue noted that the news about a possible shooter at the law school came in during an orientation Mass welcoming new students and their families.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in securing the safety of our community, especially our Villanova Public Safety department and the first responders from Radnor Police and other local police departments," he said. "I would also like to thank our Orientation Counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation.”
He also apologized to incoming students and their loved ones, saying: “This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you.”
Incident on campus resolved, Villanova says
Shortly after 6 p.m., the Villanova University website had an alert saying "incident on campus resolved."
Villanova incident remains active, police say
Radnor Township police said in an update shortly before 6 p.m. that units continue to clear buildings at Villanova University and that the incident “remains ACTIVE.”
Thus far there are no reported victims.
Those on campus are asked to continue sheltering in place.
Gov. Josh Shapiro says state and federal law enforcement on scene
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said state police and local and federal law enforcement are all at Villanova University responding to the active shooter report.
"Avoid the area and follow the direction of local authorities. We will share additional information as it becomes available," he wrote on X.
Radnor Township police urge residents, students to shelter in place
Radnor Township police said they are at Villanova University for an active shooter report.
"All nearby residents and students are asked to SHELTER IN PLACE AT this time," police said.
Villanova University issues active shooter alert
Villanova University issued an active shooter alert for its campus this afternoon.
“Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors,” the alert said.
Today marked the start of new student orientation and registration ahead of the start of the fall semester.
