Active shooter at Villanova U causes campus chaos, shelter in place order during move-in: cops

 An active shooter was reported at Villanova University on Thursday afternoon, sparking pandemonium as new students were on campus for move-in day.

Students and visitors, including many families helping their children get settled, were directed to shelter in place, according to the Radnor Township Police Department.

An alert from the university ordered everyone to stay away from the Law School Scarpa Hall, located on the West Campus near nine residence halls and a dining hall, according to a campus map. 

No victims have been reported, according to the RTPD. Authorities and other officials are sweeping through the buildings to help evacuate people sheltering in place.

Alarming video posted to X shows frantic students and families running for their lives and toppling over chairs during an outdoor mass that was being held to welcome the new students.

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Droves of law enforcement officials were seen on campus responding to the active shooter threat.AP

A representative with the university told a group that preliminary reports indicated there may have been shots fired in the law school’s library, according to a video recorded by a person on campus.

Thursday was the first day of new student orientation, according to the university calendar.

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A door with damaged glass on the Villanova campus is seen immediately after reports of an active shooter.

The law school’s orientation started on Tuesday and concluded with a picnic held with the alumni association Thursday afternoon, according to posts on X. 

Federal, state and local law enforcement are both on site, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on social media.

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People shelter behind a wall at the Villanova University campus where an active shooter was reported.AP

Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick said that he is “aware and monitoring the situation” and “praying” for everyone on campus.

Villanova University, a private Augustinian Catholic school just 12 miles outside of Philadelphia, costs a staggering $70,000 annually for each student. 

There are roughly 1,770 students in the class of 2029, according to the university’s first-year admission profile. 

All students are supposed to start classes on Monday, according to the university’s academic calendar.

Earlier this afternoon, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was placed under lockdown after an unfounded active shooter alert. 

https://nypost.com/2025/08/21/us-news/active-shooter-at-villanova-university-causes-campus-chaos-shelter-in-place-order/