A false report of an active shooter at Villanova University on August 21, 2025, was confirmed as a ‘cruel hoax’ by university president Rev. Peter Donohue, leading to a campus-wide lockdown and a massive law enforcement response with no injuries or evidence of firearms found.
The incident involved students, faculty, and numerous law enforcement agencies, including local police, Pennsylvania State Police, and federal authorities. University president Rev. Peter Donohue described the event as a ‘cruel hoax’ in a letter to the campus community, apologizing for the disruption and emphasizing that no one was harmed.
The false report occurred around 4:35 PM ET on August 21, 2025, during the first day of new student orientation at Villanova University, located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The anonymous claim specified an active shooter in the Charles Widger School of Law, with assertions of injuries, which triggered immediate alerts and shelter-in-place orders.
This was identified as a swatting incident, a criminal hoax where false reports are made to provoke a large-scale police response. Swatting has been a concern for law enforcement for years, often motivated by bragging rights or malicious intent rather than monetary gain, as noted in FBI assessments.
The response involved a swift and comprehensive sweep of the campus by armed officers, including rooftop searches and building clearances, as captured by local news footage. Despite the panic and terror it caused, authorities confirmed no shooter, victims, or weapons were present, allowing the all-clear to be given later that evening.
The impact was significant, shaking the university community and forcing the cancellation of orientation activities, including a mass and family picnic. Students and families experienced fear and disruption, particularly as this was their introduction to campus life, with President Donohue expressing regret for the traumatic experience.
Moving forward, orientation activities are scheduled to resume on August 22, 2025, and classes will begin as planned on Monday. Law enforcement, including the FBI and local authorities, are investigating to identify and prosecute the perpetrator, with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro vowing to use all available tools to hold them accountable.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/21/us/villanova-university-shooting