Villanova says a report of a campus shooter was a 'cruel hoax'

VILLANOVA, Pa. —

False reports of active shooters at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Thursday led to panic and temporary lockdowns at the two campuses as they kicked off their fall semesters.

In Pennsylvania, someone called 911 at about 4:30 p.m., reporting a shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded victim. Students received texts from the school's alert system saying “ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors.”

The school's president later said it was a hoax.

Related video above: The district attorney comments on the situation and investigation

“Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued,”