Active Shooter Hoax Disrupts Villanova's Initial Mass Service
Villanova University Fake Shooter Alert: No Active Shooter, No Injuries
Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia was the scene of a false active shooter alert on August 21, 2025. The university, which is located 12 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, reported the incident at approximately 4:30 p.m.
During the lockdown, students were advised to move to a secure location and lock or barricade doors. The Radnor Township police department, along with the university's police department, were on location, asking nearby residents and students to shelter in place.
The Pennsylvania State Police have been directed by Governor Josh Shapiro to find the person or people who called in the fake threat and hold them accountable. The governor described the incident as a "cruel swatting incident" where someone called in a fake threat to induce panic.
Fortunately, the university president, Father Peter M. Donohue, confirmed that there was no active shooter, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms present on campus. In a letter to the Villanova community, Father Donohue apologised to Villanova's first-year students and their families for the incident not being the introduction to Villanova that he had hoped for.
The Opening Day Mass, scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET, followed by a family picnic, was disrupted by the incident. Father Donohue, in his tradition of closing Orientation Mass with a prayer, offered a prayer to the Villanova community.
The incident occurred at the site of the Opening Day Mass, but the John F. Scarpa Hall, located an 11-minute walk across campus from the site, was advised to be avoided during the incident. The Charles Widger School of Law's John F. Scarpa Hall is a part of Villanova University.
It was later reported that the false shooter alert at Villanova University was caused by a university employee who mistakenly reported the threat. During the lockdown, some individuals took shelter in the main building of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, which is located across the street from the campus.
Gina Christian, a multimedia reporter, and Maria Wiering contributed to this report. Villanova University, a Catholic institution founded by the Augustinian Order and the alma mater of Pope Leo XIV, assured the community that everyone is safe and promised to share more information as it becomes available. The story was updated at 7:00 p.m. ET Aug. 21, 2025.
