'cruel Hoax' False Report About Active Shooter Put Villanova University On Lockdown

Active shooter reported at Villanova University

Police at Villanova say there's been a shooting on the campus. There's no word yet on possible injuries or other details.

The Villanova University campus was put on alert for a tense hour after an active shooter warning was issued in what officials call a "cruel hoax."

"We're all going to work to try to get to the bottom of who might have done this. Because if this was indeed a cruel hoax. This is a crime, and we will track you down if it's the last thing we do," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said in a press conference.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed that the reports of an active shooter on campus were "unfounded."

"The reports of an active shooter at Villanova today are unfounded, and products of a cruel swatting incident — when someone calls in a fake threat to induce panic," Shapiro said. "I've directed @PAStatePolice to work alongside their partners and use every tool at our disposal to find the person or people who called in this fake threat and hold them accountable."

The active shooter warning was issued during the first day of new student orientation, according to a university academic calendar and while families were attending the school's welcome mass.

“Police on scene. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow,” the school's alert said. "Lockdown remains in place. Heavy police presence on campus. Remain indoors. Do not leave. Secure rooms or building.

The school told students to stay clear of the Law School's Scarpa Hall and to continue sheltering in place. The apparent hoax also prompted local law enforcement to respond to Villanova's campus.

The Radnor Township Police Department said in a post on X that it was clearing buildings in the area.

"Radnor Township Police Department and assisting units are continuing to clear buildings at Villanova University. The incident remains ACTIVE. At this time, there are NO reported victims," police said.

The apparent hoax came just hours after another active shooter was reported on the University of Tennessee's campus in Chattanooga. An all-clear was issued for that campus shortly after the initial report.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.