Villanova College president says lively shooter incident was ‘merciless hoax’

VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) — The lively shooter alert that compelled Villanova College college students to shelter in place on Thursday was a results of a merciless hoax,” in keeping with President Rev. Peter Donohue.

“Mercifully, nobody was injured, and we now know that it was a merciless hoax – there was no lively shooter, no accidents, and no proof of firearms current on campus,” Donohue mentioned in a letter to college students.

Police say the Division of Public Security acquired a number of stories round 4:30 p.m., together with claims of a person with an AR-15-style weapon and a attainable sufferer. A number of calls included gunshot-like sounds within the background, police mentioned.

A safety alert was instantly issued, instructing college students to lock and barricade doorways. Movies posted on social media confirmed crowds being rushed into buildings.

“The adrenaline of it was sort of surreal. You do not actually know what to really feel,” mentioned Kyle Mezrow, a first-year regulation pupil who was inside John F. Scarpa Corridor, the place police initially believed the suspect could have been.

“An officer got here in together with his pistol drawn, requested us if we heard any gunshots. We mentioned, ‘No.’ He mentioned, ‘Again all the things up. Get out of the constructing,'” Mezrow recalled.

Close by, first-year pupil Jack Connolly sheltered in his dorm room. “It was kinda scary,” he mentioned. His father, Sean Connolly, waited outdoors. “Getting the textual content message was surreal. Thank God nobody was harm – there is a blessing in there.”

A whole lot of regulation enforcement officers responded, securing the campus room by room. After a radical search, the alert was lifted and a follow-up message confirmed the campus was clear.

“We all know this false report precipitated concern and disruption as we start our educational yr,” the college mentioned in an announcement. “We’re deeply grateful to our Public Security staff, Radnor Police, native regulation enforcement, and our workers and pupil leaders for responding swiftly and compassionately.”

Delaware County District Legal professional Jack Stollsteimer mentioned his workplace, together with the FBI, is investigating.

“If this was certainly a merciless hoax, this can be a crime, and we are going to observe you down if it is the very last thing we do,” Stollsteimer mentioned.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro additionally responded, noting that swatting is unlawful and directing state police to make use of “each instrument at our disposal” to seek out these accountable.

“I do know in the present day was each mother or father’s nightmare, and each pupil’s largest concern,” Shapiro mentioned in an announcement on X. “I am profoundly grateful nobody was harm, and grateful to all members of regulation enforcement who ran towards stories of hazard to maintain Pennsylvanians secure.”

Chopper 6 captured photos of emergency autos and armed officers on the entrance of a parking storage and different campus areas.

Brandon Ambrosino, a professor of theology and ethics at Villanova, mentioned college have been struggling to get data through the lockdown. “None of my colleagues know what’s taking place. We’re messaging backwards and forwards,” he mentioned.

Courtenay Harris Bond was strolling close to the regulation college along with her husband and freshman son when the alert was issued. “Actually powerful method to begin freshman yr at school,” she mentioned after being given the all-clear.

Villanova’s campus is situated about 12 miles northwest of Heart Metropolis Philadelphia. The Augustinian college has acquired elevated consideration this yr because the alma mater of newly elected Pope Leo XIV.