"Mercifully, no one was injured, and we now know that it was a cruel hoax - there was no active shooter, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms present on campus," Donohue said in a letter to students.
Police say the Department of Public Safety received multiple reports around 4:30 p.m., including claims of a man with an AR-15-style weapon and a possible victim. Several calls included gunshot-like sounds in the background, police said.
A security alert was immediately issued, instructing students to lock and barricade doors. Videos posted on social media showed crowds being rushed into buildings.
"The adrenaline of it was kind of surreal. You don't really know what to feel," said Kyle Mezrow, a first-year law student who was inside John F. Scarpa Hall, where police initially believed the suspect may have been.
"An officer came in with his pistol drawn, asked us if we heard any gunshots. We said, 'No.' He said, 'Back everything up. Get out of the building,'" Mezrow recalled.
Nearby, first-year student Jack Connolly sheltered in his dorm room. "It was kinda scary," he said. His father, Sean Connolly, waited outside. "Getting the text message was surreal. Thank God no one was hurt - there's a blessing in there."
Update on Villanova active shooter incident deemed hoax
Hundreds of law enforcement officers responded, securing the campus room by room. After a thorough search, the alert was lifted and a follow-up message confirmed the campus was clear.
"We know this false report caused fear and disruption as we begin our academic year," the university said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to our Public Safety team, Radnor Police, local law enforcement, and our staff and student leaders for responding swiftly and compassionately."
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said his office, along with the FBI, is investigating.
"If this was indeed a cruel hoax, this is a crime, and we will track you down if it's the last thing we do," Stollsteimer said.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also responded, noting that swatting is illegal and directing state police to use "every tool at our disposal" to find those responsible.
"I know today was every parent's nightmare, and every student's biggest fear," Shapiro said in a statement on X. "I'm profoundly grateful no one was hurt, and thankful to all members of law enforcement who ran toward reports of danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe."
Chopper 6 captured images of emergency vehicles and armed officers at the entrance of a parking garage and other campus locations.
Brandon Ambrosino, a professor of theology and ethics at Villanova, said faculty were struggling to get information during the lockdown. "None of my colleagues know what's happening. We're messaging back and forth," he said.
Villanova president speaks about shooting hoax
Courtenay Harris Bond was walking near the law school with her husband and freshman son when the alert was issued. "Really tough way to start freshman year at college," she said after being given the all-clear.
Villanova's campus is located about 12 miles northwest of Center City Philadelphia. The Augustinian university has received increased attention this year as the alma mater of newly elected Pope Leo XIV.