John F. Scarpa Hall at the Villanova University School of Law (Credit: Villanova.edu)
Delaware County forensics, the FBI and University Police are investigating where the call originated
Villanova University President Father Peter Donahue had the best description of the disturbing event that took place on the school's campus on Thursday afternoon.
He called it, a "cruel hoax."
The hoax was the report of an active shooter and a victim at the University's law school, creating panic for the entire campus, which included many incoming freshman who had moved in Wednesday and earlier Thursday.
The University responded by sending an active shooter alert to all students on campus, asking them to shelter in place.
A massive law enforcement response descended on the campus with officers arriving from parts of Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties to combat the shooter.
But as they spent more than an hour searching the campus, it started to become apparent that something was amiss, and that there may never had been a shooter in the first place.
At about 6PM, Donahue sent an email and text message to all parents, students, faculty and staff of the Villanova community.
Release from Villanova President Father Peter Donahue.
Donahue states this was a hoax and there was no active shooter. pic.twitter.com/HzDUbQAor5
"Today as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School," the message read. "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. While that is a blessing and relief, I know today's events have shaken our entire community."
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer called it "every parent's worst nightmare," but reiterated that an investigation is underway as to who would try to pull off such a sinister stunt.
"We will track you down if it's the last thing we do," Stollsteimer said. He added that his forensic team is working with the local office of the FBI as well as the university police and Radnor Police to trace where the call came from.
In a post on X, Gov. Josh Shapiro called it a "swatting incident - when someone calls in a fake threat to induce panic."
The reports of an active shooter at Villanova today are unfounded, and products of 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…
Shapiro said he has instructed the Pennsylvania State Police to work with Stollsteimer's team, the university and the FBI to "use every tool at our disposal to find the person or people who called in this fake threat and hold them accountable."
Students originally were told to barricade their doors due to an active shooter situation on campus.
The University released a statement separate from Donahue that read, in part, "We know this false report caused fear and disruption as we begin our academic year. ... We are grateful that our community is safe."
The NovaAlert, which was sent to students immediately after the call came in read: "ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow."
Radnor police posted their first update on X at 5:47 p.m.:
Villanova University UPDATE 1.0:
Radnor Township Police Department and assisting units are continuing to clear buildings at Villanova University. The incident remains ACTIVE. At this time, there are NO reported victims.
IF YOU ARE SHELTERING - STAY IN PLACE UNTIL A POLICE…
Thursday was Opening Day at Villanova, the second day of new students moving in. Among other welcome festivities, an Opening Mass was held for students and their families on the Rowen Campus Green at 4:15 p.m.; the alert was sent just about fifteen minutes later.
"It's an annual mass to send the freshman parents off," said David Tedjeske, associate vice president of public safety and chief of police at Villanova. "Obviously, those plans are in flux right now and we'll be in touch with students and parents about what tomorrow will look like in light of what happened today."
NEW: Active shooter reported at Villanova University during the school’s first-year student mass, according to the New York Post.
Students were told to lock and barricade doors.
"Radnor police dispatch have confirmed an active shooter situation on Villanova University's… pic.twitter.com/QzdlqoNfVp
Tedjeske said that the call that came in indicated that there was an active shooter in John. F. Scarpa Hall and that the alleged shooter had an automatic rifle. However, there was no evidence of that at all as officers went through each building on campus - not just Scarpa Hall - and found nothing to indicate any such activity.
"We're going to make sure over the days to come that this doesn't happen again," Stollsteimer said.
