What happened at Villanova University on August 21, 2025?

A false report of an active shooter in a Villanova law school building led to a campus lockdown and panic, but authorities later confirmed it was a cruel hoax with no actual threat.

How did the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga respond to the active shooter report?

The Chattanooga campus also went on lockdown after receiving a report of a possible active shooter, but law enforcement found no evidence of any threat and lifted the lockdown less than an hour later.

What was the reaction from Villanova's president after the hoax?

Villanova's president called the incident "panic and terror" that "mercifully" resulted in no injuries, and said it was a "cruel hoax" that disrupted new student orientation.

Home / Education / Hoax Panic: False Active Shooter Reports Lockdown Villanova and Chattanooga Campuses

Hoax Panic: False Active Shooter Reports Lockdown Villanova and Chattanooga Campuses

22 Aug

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Summary

Fake 911 calls about active shooters at Villanova and Chattanooga campuses
Lockdowns and panic ensue, but no actual threats found
Authorities call the incidents "cruel hoaxes" and promise investigation

Hoax Panic: False Active Shooter Reports Lockdown Villanova and Chattanooga Campuses

Just two days ago, on August 21, 2025, false reports of active shooters on college campuses in Pennsylvania and Tennessee caused widespread panic and temporary lockdowns. At around 4:30 pm, someone called 911 claiming there was a shooter in a Villanova University law school building, with at least one wounded victim. This prompted the school to send emergency alerts to students, telling them to "move to a secure location" and "lock/barricade doors."

Meanwhile, about four hours earlier, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also went on lockdown after receiving a report of a "possible active shooter" in the University Centre or Library. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded, but found no evidence of any threat.

Authorities have since confirmed that both incidents were cruel hoaxes, with no actual shooters or victims. Villanova's president called it a "panic and terror" that "mercifully" resulted in no injuries, while the Chattanooga school lifted its lockdown less than an hour later. Investigators are now working to determine who was behind these false alarms that disrupted new student orientations at the two campuses.

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