The president of Villanova University said Thursday evening that the report of an active shooter on campus was a “cruel hoax” and that no one was injured.
In a statement to the Villanova community, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, the university’s president, said the report caused “panic and terror” as students and staff were celebrating Orientation Mass.
“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 statement.
Before that, police searched building by building, floor by floor, looking for a shooter or victims.
There was an initial report via police radio conversation among responding officers that there was a gunshot victim, but police officially said later that they had “no reported victims.”
Nonetheless, police continued to urge caution.
“If you are sheltering — stay in place until a police officer guides you,” the Radnor Township Police Department said in a social media update shortly before 5:50 p.m.
» READ MORE: Active shooter report at Villanova was a ‘cruel hoax,’ university says; no injuries reported
Earlier, the university reported that the police search on campus was ongoing and that people on campus should move to a secure location and lock and barricade doors.
The university advised people to “stay clear” of Scarpa Hall at the Charles Widger School of Law.
The university later explained that around 4:30 p.m., Villanova’s Department of Public Safety received an anonymous report of an active shooter in the Widger School of Law.
Police conducted a thorough search of the buildings in the area and confirmed that the incident was a hoax, the university said.
The initial report of an active shooter drew swift responses from the highest political offices in Pennsylvania.
“Dina and I are praying for the safety of students, faculty, law enforcement, and everyone on campus,” U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) said on social media.
Gov. Josh Shapiro also responded on social media to the unfolding event, but later provided an update also calling the incident a hoax.
“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 on social media shortly after 6:20 p.m.
“Swatting is illegal. 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,” Shapiro said.
“I know today was every parent’s nightmare, and every student’s biggest fear. I’m profoundly grateful no one was hurt, and thankful to all members of law enforcement who ran towards reports of danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe,” the governor said.
Donohue, Villanova’s president, said that while the news that there was no active shooter “is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.”
He added: “l am sure there will be more questions in the coming days and weeks, and we will share as much information with you as we can, but for now, I am thankful that everyone is safe.”
Thursday was the last day of mandatory orientation for incoming first-year law students, according to the school’s academic calendar.
Freshman move-in began Wednesday. Throughout the day Thursday, there were informational and welcome sessions, Villanova’s website said. The active shooter was reported during the university’s opening Mass, scheduled from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Villanova University is a private school about 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia, with an undergraduate student population of about 6,700. The Augustinian Catholic institution is the alma mater of Pope Leo XIV, and former first lady Jill Biden earned a master’s degree from the university.
Entire families clad in Villanova University apparel, some with young children in tow, left the school shaken Thursday, rushing to their cars to leave campus.
“We just want to get out of here,” said one woman who had been crying.
Youssaf Shah, a postdoctoral student, stood outside Drosdick Hall, hands over his head, as police cars left their previously assigned positions blocking incoming and outgoing traffic.
“This was pretty intense, I’ve never been in this kind of situation before,” he said.
Shah was in the middle of a virtual meeting with research partners when the campus alert went out, sending the school into lockdown. He said texts started coming in from people asking if he was OK.
Because key cards were not working, a colleague who had been in the restroom ran to his office, where they locked themselves in until the lockdown was lifted.
“I’m relieved that no one was hurt,” Shah said. “But I’m concerned about the new students.” He lamented they had to start their semester this way.
One freshman was inconsolable as she and her mother headed to the parking lot.
“This is only my second day on campus,” she said, declining to give her name at her mother’s suggestion. “Everything was great until this happened. This shouldn’t be happening anywhere.”
Staff writers Jesse Bunch, Maggie Prosser, and Susan Snyder contributed to this article.
