Villanova Active Shooter Situation Was 'Cruel Hoax,' School Says By Ben Brachfeld

An active shooter situation at Villanova University that caused chaos during the Pennsylvania school’s orientation week was a “cruel hoax,” the school wrote in a letter to community members.

Just before 5 p.m., police in Radnor Township, where the school is located, posted that they were responding to an active shooter on the university’s campus and urged students and nearby residents to shelter in place and barricade and lock their doors.

The warning sent first-year students attending their orientation on campus running for their lives.

But at around 6 p.m., Villanova president Peter Donohue sent a letter to students calling the incident a “cruel hoax,” according to the Associated Press and local outlets 6ABC and NBC 10.

“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,” wrote Donohue. “While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.”

The university is welcoming its newest students this week, and for most of the day. the school’s social media profiles posted about the move-in process. Classes are set to begin on Monday, per the Associated Press.

“I would like to apologize to our first-year students and their families,” wrote Donohue. “This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.