Pennsylvania, USA, 22 August 2025
A report of an active shooting at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, USA, caused widespread panic and a campus-wide lockdown on Thursday, August 21st, only to be later confirmed as a “cruel hoax” by university officials. The false alarm, which occurred during a new student orientation event, sent students, parents, and faculty scrambling for safety and drew a heavy response from local, state, and federal law enforcement.
The terrifying event began around 4:30 p.m. local time when an anonymous 911 call was made reporting a shooter and at least one wounded victim at the Charles Widger School of Law on campus. In response, the university’s alert system sent out an urgent text message warning, “ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors.”
Panic immediately ensued, with students attending an outdoor Orientation Mass fleeing for safety and barricading themselves in buildings. Social media videos captured the chaotic scenes as people ran from the area. The widespread fear was palpable, with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro later stating on social media, “I know today was every parent’s nightmare, and every student’s biggest fear.”
Headline Points
* False Report: The incident was a “cruel hoax” as confirmed by Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue. There was no active shooter, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms on campus.
* Widespread Panic: The initial report and subsequent university alert caused a chaotic scene during a new student orientation event, with people fleeing and sheltering in place.
* Major Law Enforcement Response: Multiple agencies, including local police from Radnor Township, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI, responded to the scene, sweeping the campus to ensure there was no threat.
* Hoax Under Investigation: Law enforcement, including a forensic team and the FBI, are actively investigating the incident. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer vowed to “track down” and prosecute the person or people responsible for the false report, which is being treated as a crime.
* “Swatting” Incident: Governor Josh Shapiro referred to the event as a “swatting incident,” a dangerous and illegal act of calling in a fake threat to induce a major police response.
* Campus Lockdowns Lifted: The lockdown was lifted after about an hour, and the university confirmed the campus was all-clear. The university apologized to new students and their families for the frightening start to the school year.
* Context of a Troubling Trend: The incident adds to a growing and troubling trend of false threat reports, or “swatting,” aimed at causing chaos and fear.
