‘Cruel Hoax’: Active Shooter Story A False Alarm, Police Say

Authorities responded to reports of an active shooter at Villanova University Thursday afternoon, prompting immediate lockdown orders across the campus and surrounding areas, but officials later confirmed it was a false alarm.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the university’s emergency alert system issued the message: “ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow,” according to NBC Philadelphia. Minutes later, Radnor Township Police confirmed the report, stating officers were actively responding to the situation on school grounds.

Radnor Township Police Department are on location at Villanova University for a repot of an active shooter. All nearby residents and students are asked to SHELTER IN PLACE AT this time.

All further information will come from the Office of the Superintendent of Police.

#308

— RadnorPD (@RadnorPD) August 21, 2025

The @PAStatePolice and local and federal law enforcement are onsite at Villanova University responding to reports of an active shooter.

Avoid the area and follow the direction of local authorities. We will share additional information as it becomes available.

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 21, 2025

Authorities later confirmed the reported Villanova University shooting was false, with no evidence of an active shooter or victims found. Law enforcement praised the community’s quick response as multiple agencies cleared the campus and opened an investigation into the hoax.

Radnor Township Police Department, Villanova Public Safety Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Office of the District Attorney, along with dozens of area law enforcement officers are beginning to clear the scene at Villanova University.

We are thankful to confirm…

— RadnorPD (@RadnorPD) August 21, 2025

In a statement on its website, Villanova University said panic spread during Thursday’s Orientation Mass after reports of a possible shooter at the Law School. The school confirmed the incident was a hoax, noting there was no active shooter, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms on campus.

“Mercifully, no one was injured, and we now know that it was a cruel hoax—there was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms present on campus. While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community,” Rev. Peter M. Donohue, school’s president, said in a statement.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in securing the safety of our community, especially our Villanova Public Safety department and the first responders from Radnor Police and other local police departments. I would also like to thank our Orientation Counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation.”

By 5 p.m., Villanova officials issued a follow-up alert urging students and staff to avoid Scarpa Hall, home to the university’s law school. “ACTIVE SHOOTER Incident Warning: Police on scene. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow. Stay Clear of Law School Scarpa Hall,” the university warned, NBC Philadelphia reported.