A report of an active shooter at Villanova University in Montgomery County was determined to be a “cruel hoax” and officials say no one was hurt.The Radnor Township Police Department posted on social media around 4:30 p.m.: “Radnor Township Police Department are on location at Villanova University for a report of an active shooter. All nearby residents and students are asked to SHELTER IN PLACE AT this time.” An alert from the university advised people to stay clear of Law School Scarpa Hall. Videos on social media showed crowds being rushed inside campus buildings.Just before 6 p.m., Radnor Police said there were no reported victims. Shortly thereafter, Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University, sent a letter to students and families calling the incident “a cruel hoax.” The letter in its entirety is below.”Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School. 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. While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.I would like to thank everyone involved in securing the safety of our community, especially our Villanova Public Safety department and the first responders from Radnor Police and other local police departments. I would also like to thank our Orientation Counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation.Amid my thanks, I would like to apologize to our first-year students and their families. This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you. And while I cannot do anything to relieve the unrest that you are feeling right now, I can offer a prayer. As generations of Villanovan know, this prayer is how I close Orientation Mass each year. Since we were interrupted today, I would like to offer it now. Whomever you are with, I ask that you reach out to them and repeat after me.May God bless you and protect you.May your heart and mind be united in faith so that you may be able to love wisely, work creatively, laugh heartily, and live honestly. May you use your education to bring justice and peace to the world, for the benefit of our human family and all of God’s creation.And may you always know that you are loved. AmenI am sure there will be more questions in the coming days and weeks, and we will share as much information with you as we can, but for now, I am thankful that everyone is safe.”New student orientation and registration started Thursday and will continue until Saturday.Villanova University is a private Catholic university near Philadelphia. The Augustinian school got extra attention this year as the alma mater of new Pope Leo XIV. This is a developing story, stay with WGAL as we work to learn more.

VILLANOVA, Pa. —

A report of an active shooter at Villanova University in Montgomery County was determined to be a “cruel hoax” and officials say no one was hurt.

The Radnor Township Police Department posted on social media around 4:30 p.m.: “Radnor Township Police Department are on location at Villanova University for a report of an active shooter. All nearby residents and students are asked to SHELTER IN PLACE AT this time.”

An alert from the university advised people to stay clear of Law School Scarpa Hall. Videos on social media showed crowds being rushed inside campus buildings.

Just before 6 p.m., Radnor Police said there were no reported victims.

Shortly thereafter, Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University, sent a letter to students and families calling the incident “a cruel hoax.”

The letter in its entirety is below.

“Today, as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School. 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. While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.

I would like to thank everyone involved in securing the safety of our community, especially our Villanova Public Safety department and the first responders from Radnor Police and other local police departments. I would also like to thank our Orientation Counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation.

Amid my thanks, I would like to apologize to our first-year students and their families. This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for you. And while I cannot do anything to relieve the unrest that you are feeling right now, I can offer a prayer. As generations of Villanovan know, this prayer is how I close Orientation Mass each year. Since we were interrupted today, I would like to offer it now. Whomever you are with, I ask that you reach out to them and repeat after me.

May God bless you and protect you.

May your heart and mind be united in faith so that you may be able to love wisely, work creatively, laugh heartily, and live honestly. May you use your education to bring justice and peace to the world, for the benefit of our human family and all of God’s creation.

And may you always know that you are loved. Amen

I am sure there will be more questions in the coming days and weeks, and we will share as much information with you as we can, but for now, I am thankful that everyone is safe.”

New student orientation and registration started Thursday and will continue until Saturday.

Villanova University is a private Catholic university near Philadelphia. The Augustinian school got extra attention this year as the alma mater of new Pope Leo XIV.

This is a developing story, stay with WGAL as we work to learn more.