VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) -- The active shooter alert that forced Villanova University students to shelter in place on Thursday was a result of a cruel hoax," according to President Rev. Peter 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," Donohue said in a letter to students.

Police say the Department of Public Safety received multiple reports around 4:30 p.m., including claims of a man with an AR-15-style weapon and a possible victim. Several calls included gunshot-like sounds in the background, police said.

A security alert was immediately issued, instructing students to lock and barricade doors. Videos posted on social media showed crowds being rushed into

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