UPDATE: Villanova University President in Pennsylvania later said that the reports of an active shooter were a ‘cruel hoax.’
“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,” Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue said in a statement to the school community. “While that is a blessing and a relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.”
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said his office and the FBI are going to investigate.
“We’re all going to work to try to get to the bottom of who might have done this,” he said during a press briefing Thursday evening.
UPDATE | Active Shooter ‘Cruel Hoax’
Villanova University’s president said in an email that there was no active shooter and the report was a hoax. The campus is all clear. You no longer need to shelter in place. pic.twitter.com/z2ViapSBtt— Citizen (@CitizenApp) August 21, 2025
Villanova University sent an emergency NOVA Alert to students and staff on August 22, warning of a possible active shooter on campus.
The alert, issued at 4:30 PM EST, instructed individuals to lock and barricade doors and avoid Scarpa Hall, home to the Charles Widger School of Law. A follow-up message at 4:58 PM confirmed police presence at the law school and urged everyone to continue shelter-in-place precautions.
Another video from Villanova University in Pennsylvania amid reports from police and campus of active shooter. pic.twitter.com/HjXrEykwyk
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) August 21, 2025
Police Response and Ongoing Search at Scarpa Hall
Radnor Police confirmed an active shooter response, though no suspect details or injuries have been released. Authorities continue to search the law school building, and students are advised to follow Villanova’s emergency guidelines:
“Run. Hide. Fight.”
Videos Show Students Barricading Doors Amid Panic
Unverified videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) appear to show students barricading classroom doors and sheltering in place. Reports confirm that Scarpa Hall remains the focal point of the police sweep, according to CBS News and local media.
More Info regarding the shooting at Villanova University. Building on lock down.pic.twitter.com/iExmhvReN6
— Oreo Express (@OreoExpress) August 21, 2025
This alert has drawn comparisons to a 2019 incident when a false report of gunfire triggered a 37-minute lockdown on campus. Villanova’s Public Safety Department emphasized that official alerts remain the most reliable source of information.
Investigation Continues, No All Clear Yet
As of 1:00 AM EST, no “all clear” has been issued, and police activity continues near the law school. Students have been instructed to remain in secure locations until the situation is fully resolved.
The university also urged parents and the public to avoid coming to campus during the ongoing response.
This incident occurs amid a rise in active shooter alerts nationwide, with the FBI reporting 50 such cases in 2024. Whether this turns out to be a confirmed gunman or a false alarm remains under investigation by Radnor Police. Updates will be provided by Villanova Public Safety as the situation develops.
