TAXPAYERS FURTHER. IN HARRISBURG, AJ SISON, WGAL, NEWS EIGHT. NEW TONIGHT FEDERAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST A JUVENILE ACCUSED OF MAKING SWATTING CALLS TARGETING PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS, INCLUDING VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY. AUTHORITIES SAY THE SUSPECT, WHO WAS NOT BEING IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, WAS LINKED TO THE ORIGINAL. I’M SORRY, TO THE ONLINE CYBER CRIMINAL GROUP PURGATORY, AND RANDOMLY CHOSE THE SCHOOL’S VILLANOVA LAST AUGUST. THE FAKE REPORT OF A GUNMAN WITH AN AR 15 STYLE WEAPON TRIGGERED AN ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT, A CAMPUS LOCKDOWN AND A MASSIVE POLICE A
Federal charges | Juvenile accused of targeting Pennsylvania schools with swatting calls
Updated: 5:48 PM EDT May 1, 2026
Federal charges have been filed against a juvenile accused of making swatting calls targeting Pennsylvania schools, including Villanova University. Authorities said the suspect, whose identity is not being disclosed due to their age, was linked to the online cybercriminal group “Purgatory” and randomly selected the schools. Multiple swatting calls over the past yearAt Villanova University last August, a false report of a gunman with an AR-15-style weapon triggered an active shooter alert, a campus lockdown, and a massive police and EMS response before officials determined the threat was fake.
Federal charges have been filed against a juvenile accused of making swatting calls targeting Pennsylvania schools, including Villanova University.
Authorities said the suspect, whose identity is not being disclosed due to their age, was linked to the online cybercriminal group “Purgatory” and randomly selected the schools.
Multiple swatting calls over the past year
At Villanova University last August, a false report of a gunman with an AR-15-style weapon triggered an active shooter alert, a campus lockdown, and a massive police and EMS response before officials determined the threat was fake.