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False Active-Shooter Hoaxes Hit Multiple Pennsylvania Campuses, Spurring Alert Protocol Reviews

Colleges are reassessing confirmation steps under Clery rules after police deemed the latest reports swatting.

Overview

  • On Sept. 28, Millersville, West Chester, Shippensburg and Grove City College received nearly identical false active-shooter reports that were quickly cleared by police.
  • Millersville said officers found no threat at Wickersham Hall or McNairy Library and reported the case as swatting, with federal partners assisting the investigation.
  • Millersville cited hoax indicators that shaped its response, including a single anonymous call to a non-emergency line and the caller misidentifying a building.
  • West Chester did not send an immediate campus alert, saying police prioritized securing the library first, while at least one student criticized the lack of timely notification.
  • Shippensburg issued an early alert noting the report was believed non-credible due to a visible state police presence and social media chatter, as other schools expand swatting training.