Villanova University placed its suburban Philadelphia campus on lockdown late Thursday afternoon after its Department of Public Safety received an anonymous 4:30 p.m. ET report of an active shooter in the Charles Widger School of Law’s Scarpa Hall. Security alerts instructed students and staff—many attending an orientation Mass for first-year students—to shelter in place and barricade doors while police swept buildings. Radnor Township Police, assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, federal agencies and officers from neighbouring jurisdictions, established a large perimeter and methodically cleared campus facilities. Train services bypassed the university station and nearby residents were told to stay indoors. Despite the extensive response, officers reported no victims and found no evidence of gunfire. Shortly after 6 p.m., Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue informed the community that the incident was a “cruel hoax,” confirming there was no shooter, no injuries and no weapons on campus. Governor Josh Shapiro said the event was an illegal swatting incident and directed state police to work with federal partners to identify those responsible. Local prosecutors also pledged to pursue charges once a suspect is found.