Home / Crime and Justice / Juvenile Charged in Nationwide Swatting Spree
Juvenile Charged in Nationwide Swatting Spree
1 May
Summary
- Juvenile suspect faces charges for swatting calls targeting universities.
- Villanova University experienced a massive law enforcement response.
- The suspect is allegedly part of a cybercriminal group called Purgatory.
A juvenile suspect is facing federal charges for a series of swatting calls made last summer, including an incident at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
In August 2025, the suspect allegedly targeted institutions randomly, claiming affiliation with a cybercriminal group known as Purgatory. Swatting involves making false reports of serious threats to provoke a large law enforcement response.
The Villanova University swatting call on August 21, 2025, caused panic and led to an extensive police and EMS deployment. University officials confirmed the school was never in danger but noted it was the largest police response ever seen on campus.
Authorities also linked the suspect to a hoax threat at the University of Colorado Boulder's Norlin Library on August 25, 2025, which resulted in a three-hour shelter-in-place order. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was also targeted by a similar swatting call on the same day as the Villanova incident.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and state police, investigated the incidents. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated that swatting calls are becoming more common and place a significant strain on first responders' time and resources.
