The President of Villanova University announced the active shooter report to be nothing more than a "cruel hoax," he said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“There was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms on campus,” the Rev. Peter M. Donohue said in the statement.
According to Governor Josh Shapiro the report was nothing more than a "swatting Incident."
Shapiro took to Twitter/X to explain that the report of an active shooter incident on campus was unfounded and only made to cause panic.
Police responded to a report of an active shooter on the campus of Villanova University in Pennsylvania, prompting lockdowns and a shelter-in-place order in the surrounding area.
Students received alerts from the university instructing them to lock and barricade doors and move to secure locations. A follow-up message warned individuals to avoid the law school.
A shelter-in-place advisory was sent out
Radnor Township officials issued a shelter-in-place advisory via social media. No additional information was provided.
Video footage posted online showed crowds being directed into campus buildings. Aerial views revealed multiple emergency vehicles and armed officers near a parking garage.
The incident occurred during new student orientation. Classes are set to begin on Monday.
Villanova professor Brandon Ambrosino, who was not on campus at the time, said faculty were trying to obtain information. “None of my colleagues know what’s happening. We’re messaging back and forth,” he said.
State Rep. Lisa Borowski said she received a text message around 5 p.m. from Radnor Township Police and campus security advising local residents to shelter in place.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated he was aware of the situation and was monitoring developments.
Villanova University is a private Catholic institution located in the Philadelphia suburbs, bordering Radnor and Lower Merion Townships. The university is the alma mater of Pope Leo XIV.