VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) — The active shooter alert that forced Villanova University students to shelter in place on Thursday was a result of a cruel hoax,” according to President Rev. Peter Donohue.
“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,” Donohue said in a letter to students.
According to the university, the Department of Public Safety received an anonymous report of an active shooter in the Charles Widger School of Law around 4:30 p.m.
A security alert was immediately issued, telling students to lock and barricade doors. Videos posted on social media showed a crowd being rushed inside a building on campus.
After a thorough search of the Pennsylvania campus, the incident was determined to be a hoax.
“We know this false report caused fear and disruption as we begin our academic year. We are deeply grateful to our Public Safety team, Radnor Police, local law enforcement, and our staff and student leaders for responding swiftly and compassionately. We are grateful that our community is safe,” the university said in a statement.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer vowed to track those responsible.
“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,” said Stollsteimer.
The campus is located approximately 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia’s Center City.
The Augustinian school got extra attention this year as the alma mater of new Pope Leo XIV.
The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.
Stay with Action News as we continue to follow this developing story.
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