Active Shooter Report At Villanova University Was A 'Cruel Hoax'

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