A report of a gunman at Villanova University turned out to be a hoax on Thursday, officials said. But it set off widespread panic among students and families on the first day of orientation on the campus outside of Philadelphia.
Students were told to barricade themselves in dorms and classrooms as armed police officers arrived on campus with their guns drawn after an anonymous report to the university of an “active shooter” at the law school.
Buildings were cleared by officers, and people were urged to remain in place until the police arrived to guide them to safety. No gunman or firearm was found on campus, however, school officials said, and there were no reported injuries.
“I know today’s events have shaken our entire community,” Villanova’s president, Peter M. Donohue, said in a statement. He added that he was especially sorry about the impact on freshmen and their parents. “This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania condemned what he called a “cruel swatting incident” and directed the state police to “use every tool at our disposal” to find whoever had called in the threat. Swatting is a term for filing false reports that draw out the police, creating terror for the targets.
“I know today was every parent’s nightmare, and every student’s biggest fear,” the governor said on social media. “I’m profoundly grateful no one was hurt, and thankful to all members of law enforcement who ran toward reports of danger.”
Rylee Kirk reports on breaking news, trending topics and major developing stories for The Times.
Soumya Karlamangla is a Times reporter who covers California. She is based in the Bay Area.
The post ‘Cruel Hoax’ at Villanova Spreads Panic During Student Orientation appeared first on New York Times.
