Villanova University confirmed that an active shooter report on its campus on Thursday (August 21) was a “cruel hoax.” The false alert caused panic during the university’s Orientation Mass, as students and staff were instructed to lock and barricade doors. Fortunately, there were no injuries or evidence of firearms on campus.
According to a statement by Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue, the incident caused significant distress within the community. He expressed gratitude to the Villanova Public Safety department and local law enforcement for their swift response. “While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community,” he said.
The incident is part of a troubling trend known as swatting, where false reports of serious crimes are made to elicit a large police response. USA Today reports that swatting incidents have increased over the years, with more than 800 cases recorded at U.S. schools from January 2023 to June 2024.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and the FBI are investigating the hoax. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized that swatting is illegal and vowed to use all available resources to find those responsible. “I know today was every parent’s nightmare, and every student’s biggest fear,” Shapiro said.
The incident at Villanova follows a similar unfounded active shooter scare earlier the same day at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. Both cases are under investigation by multiple agencies, including the FBI.
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