VILLANOVA, Pa., (WPVI) — Radnor Township Policeairs report that another false active shooter call was received at Villanova University near 11 a.m. Sunday. Villanova University told students and staff to shelter in place following the incident. The report came from Austin Hall, a student residence hall, shortly after investigations. Police cleared the scene, and they determined the report was baseless, leading them to close normal operations. Villanova University has released a statement announcing that it was aware of the false report earlier this morning and that the University has given all clear. A spokesperson for the university stated, “The University was aware of a report concerning Austin Hall earlier this morning. The report was determined to be baseless, and Villanova Police have given the all clear.”
The investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the case, though it’s unclear whether the report was a coincidence or if there was recent effort to address potential threats. Villanova has issued a statement to explain that while the University was initially suspicious, it was prudent to address the situation to ensure the safety of students and staff. The report comes after a false active shooter call to a nearby community college, Barton Community College, where students took a stand at 2 p.m. to offer aid. The investigation has already delved into determining whether the Austin Hall reports were related to Barton.
The latest update points to another false active shooter call, raising questions about the widespread frequency of such incidents in the area. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the incident, though the exact reason remains unclear. The University has acknowledged that while there were no proven ethical or legal grounds for the false report, it was prudent not to allow all the stakeholders involved to be out of a safe position at the time. Other authorities are also jeopardized, including the police department and schools, though the University has signed off on no immediate actions. Villanova’s report could signal a trend similar to earlier false positives, which might have undermined existing shelters orservices.