On August 24, Villanova University and the University of South Carolina faced false reports of active shooters, which were later confirmed as hoaxes. Villanova’s President, Rev. Peter Donohue, described the incident as a “cruel hoax,” emphasizing that no injuries or firearms were found during the police investigation. Earlier in the day, around 6:30 PM, the University of South Carolina advised students to shelter in place due to unverified reports of gunfire near the Thomas Cooper Library. This alert later concluded that there was no evidence of a shooting.
Both universities had experienced similar false threats just days prior, highlighting a concerning trend of “swatting,” where individuals make hoax calls to trigger heavy police responses. According to data from the Anti-Defamation League, incidents of swatting increased from 400 in 2011 to over 1,000 in 2019. Furthermore, between January 2023 and June 2024, more than 800 swatting incidents involving schools were recorded.
During the hoax at Villanova, students were evacuated, and the authorities confirmed the threat was unfounded. Donohue reassured the community in a letter, expressing commitment to safety and an increased police presence in response to these events. The earlier hoax on August 21 had already prompted a similar police response, leading to widespread panic as it coincided with orientation for new students.
Both incidents have drawn attention to the national crisis of false shooting threats, which have caused alarm and disrupted educational environments. Law enforcement continues to investigate the incidents in hopes of holding the perpetrators accountable.
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