Villanova University, the esteemed educational institution in Pennsylvania, has declared Thursday’s report concerning a possible active shooter at its law school a cruel deception.
In a statement to the campus community, Villanova’s President, Rev. Peter Donohue, revealed that despite the initial alarm, there were no actual shooters, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms on the premises. This news, while a relief, has understandably unsettled the university’s community.
The incident, coinciding with the school’s orientation mass to greet new students, elicited a significant response from local and federal law enforcement. The resultant panic and terror were palpable, as described by Rev. Donohue.
The Delaware County District Attorney, Jack Stollsteimer, alongside the FBI, has pledged to investigate the matter. As he stated during a Thursday press briefing, “Efforts will be made to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this troubling hoax.”
Pennsylvania’s Governor, Josh Shapiro, has noted the illegality of ‘swatting’, false reporting of an emergency, and has directed the Pennsylvania State Police to employ all available resources to find and hold accountable those who perpetrated this fake threat.
At around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement received a call alleging an active shooter situation in the law school building, with at least one supposed victim. According to District Attorney Stollsteimer, this information has proven to be entirely false.
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The Radnor Township Police Department, among the first responders on the scene, has confirmed that no victims were reported as they continued to secure the campus buildings. Superintendent of Police Christopher Flanagan echoed the severity of this hoax, emphasizing that such actions are criminal.
Villanova’s campus, located approximately 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia’s Center City, was not the only educational institution to face such a scare on Thursday. An unrelated false active shooter report occurred at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, further underscoring the seriousness of these deceptive actions.
Related: Panic on Campus: Police Respond to Active Shooter at UT-Chattanooga
Both incidents are currently under investigation by multiple agencies, including the FBI. These situations raise important questions about campus security, the impact of false reporting, and the responsibility we all have in maintaining safe and respectful communities.
As these investigations unfold, it is crucial to remember the importance of truth, accountability, and the safety of our educational institutions.
