Villanova says a report of a campus shooter was a ‘cruel hoax’

UPDATE: A report of a shooter on Villanova University’s campus was a “cruel hoax,” the school’s president said Thursday.

“There was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms on campus,” the Rev. Peter M. Donohue said in an emailed statement.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

Police responded Thursday to a report of an active shooter on the campus of Villanova University in Pennsylvania, days before the start of classes.

Students shared a text from the Villanova alert system that told them to lock and barricade doors and move to secure locations. A second alert from Villanova officials warned people to stay away from the law school.

In a post on X, Radnor Township told nearby residents and students to shelter in place. No other informa