What to Know
- An active shooter alert at Villanova University on Thursday, Aug. 21 turned out to be a “cruel hoax,” according to school officials.
- Officials told students to lock and barricade doors as police responded to the incident about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
- At 6 p.m., the school said the incident was a hoax after officials reported they could not find any hurt victims or evidence.
An active shooter alert at Villanova University on Thursday, Aug. 21, turned out to be a “cruel hoax,” according to school officials.
About 4:30 p.m., the campus community received an alert that read: “ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus. Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow.”
The incident was later revealed to be a hoax, according to officials.


