Students at Villanova University in Pennsylvania were told on Thursday afternoon to move to a secure location and barricade their doors because of an active shooter on campus.
“Police continue to search area,” according to a warning on the Villanova website urging students to avoid the university law school’s Scarpa Hall. “Remain sheltered in place until further notice.”
“ACTIVE SHOOTER on VU campus,” reads an alert sent to Villanova students at around 4:30 p.m. local time, obtained by NBC Philadelphia. “Move to secure location. Lock/barricade doors. More info to follow.”
Police told the outlet there were no known injuries from the incident at this time.
Officers have not yet found the shooter on campus, according to the district attorney of nearby Delco County. Police are in the process of clearing university buildings and the incident is considered active.
The Radnor Township Police Department wrote on X that it is on the scene and asked students and residents to “shelter in place.”
State police, as well as local and federal law enforcement, are also responding to the incident, according to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
“Avoid the area and follow the direction of local authorities,” he wrote on X. “We will share additional information as it becomes available.”
Large numbers of officers as well as an ambulance could be seen on campus.
The incident took place on the final day of the university’s law school orientation.
Social media video of the apparent incident shows visitors and students running in panic.
“None of my colleagues know what’s happening. We’re messaging back and forth,” Brandon Ambrosino, a professor of theology and ethics at Villanova, told The Associated Press.
“It’s our nightmare scenario,” he added. “I feel terrible for these kids.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
