False Active Shooter Reports Cause Panic at Two Universities

Introduction to the Incident

On Thursday, two universities, Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, experienced panic and temporary lockdowns due to false reports of active shooters. The incidents occurred as the universities kicked off their fall semesters, causing widespread fear and disruption among students, faculty, and staff.

Incident at Villanova University

In Pennsylvania, a 911 call was made at approximately 4:30 p.m. reporting a shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded victim. The school’s alert system quickly sent texts to students, warning them of an “ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus” and instructing them to “Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors.”

However, the school’s president later revealed that the report was a hoax. In a statement, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue expressed relief that no one was injured, saying, “Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued. Mercifully, no one was injured and we now know it was a cruel hoax.”

Incident at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

About four hours earlier, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had locked down its campus due to a reported possible active shooter in the University Center or Library. Students were told to “Run. Hide. Fight” and to await further information.

After multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded to the scene, the lockdown was lifted less than an hour later. School officials confirmed that there was no evidence of any threat, and the campus was deemed safe.

Response and Aftermath

At Villanova, the initial report led to a thorough search of the campus by police, with some law enforcement officials initially believing that there was a shooter. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro described the incident as “every parent’s nightmare and every student’s biggest fear” and vowed to use all available tools to find the person or people responsible for the fake threat and hold them accountable.

Courtenay Harris Bond, who was walking near the law school with her husband and son, a freshman, when the report spread, described the experience as “really tough way to start freshman year at college.” The family spent the lockdown in a bookstore, waiting for the all-clear to leave.

About Villanova University

Villanova is a private Catholic university located in the Philadelphia suburbs, bordering Lower Merion Township and Radnor Township. The university has gained extra attention this year as the alma mater of new Pope Leo XIV.

Conclusion

The false active shooter reports at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga highlight the importance of verifying information and the need for effective communication during emergency situations. The incidents also underscore the significant impact that such reports can have on students, faculty, and staff, causing fear, disruption, and anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at Villanova University on Thursday?

A: A false report of an active shooter was made, leading to a lockdown and a thorough search of the campus by police.

Q: Was anyone injured during the incident at Villanova University?

A: No, fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

Q: What happened at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Thursday?

A: A reported possible active shooter led to a lockdown, but the threat was later found to be nonexistent.

Q: How did the universities respond to the incidents?

A: Both universities responded quickly, with law enforcement agencies and emergency services deployed to the scenes. The universities also used their alert systems to inform students and staff of the situations and provide instructions.

Q: What is being done to find the person or people responsible for the fake threat at Villanova University?

A: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has vowed to use all available tools to find the person or people responsible and hold them accountable.