Villanova University shooting a 'cruel hoax,' school president says

(NewsNation) — Reports of an active shooter at Villanova University in Pennsylvania were a “cruel hoax,” according to the school's president.

Police with long guns were going door-to-door searching buildings on campus after the school issued an active shooter alert around 4:30 p.m. ET.  

Less than two hours later, university President Peter M. Donohue sent an email to students saying the scare was a "cruel hoax" and that no evidence of a shooter, weapons or victims was found.

“Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School," Donohue wrote.

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

An all clear was issued at 6:13 p.m., and students were told they were free to move around.

Students sent running during orientation 

Video shared on social media showed students running for cover with folding chairs strewn all over the ground.

Villanova University is a private Catholic university in the Philadelphia suburbs. Orientation and a Mass welcoming first-year students was underway when all of a sudden a priest said to run.

New student orientation and registration started Thursday and was scheduled to continue until Saturday before classes begin Monday.

Brandon Ambrosino, a professor of theology and ethics at Villanova who was not on campus at the time, told AP, “None of my colleagues know what’s happening. We’re messaging back and forth.

"Obviously, it’s our nightmare scenario. I feel terrible for these kids,” he added.

The Radnor Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and SWAT were among the teams that rushed to campus before the shooting report was determined to be a hoax.

Gov. Josh Shapiro confirms hoax

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a statement confirming the hoax and vowed to investigate who was behind it.

"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 wrote.

"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."