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3w ago

Villanova Active-Shooter Alert Deemed ‘Cruel Hoax’ After Police Clear Campus

Officials say multiple bogus 911 calls point to a swatting scheme now under active investigation.

Signage for Villanova University on campus on May 9, 2025, outside of Philadelphia.
Villanova University issued an active shooter warning on its website, and has posted two updates since.
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Overview

  • Villanova issued NOVA Alerts around 4:30 p.m., ordering people to shelter in place and avoid the law school’s Scarpa Hall.
  • Radnor Township police, campus public safety, Pennsylvania State Police and federal agents responded and conducted room-by-room searches.
  • Authorities found no victims and no evidence of gunfire, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted at about 6:32 p.m. after sweeps.
  • Delaware County officials reported multiple false 911 calls, including claims of an AR-15-style gunman and a wounded person, with gunshot-like sounds heard on the calls.
  • Gov. Josh Shapiro directed state police to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the hoax, which disrupted new-student orientation and Mass.