In August, a separate active-shooter scare at Villanova was later deemed a cruel hoax, part of a pattern linked to other swatting incidents reported elsewhere.

A Winter Storm Watch bulletin affected parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with heavy snow and slick roads anticipated through the weekend.

Villanova noted awareness of a similar threat at another university, NYU, where bomb-threat emails targeted two buildings; NYU did not lockdown.

Campus officials stated there are no reports of actionable danger at this time, and an increased police presence will continue throughout the day.

Villanova University closed Thursday morning after a threat targeting an academic building, with the FBI and local and state law enforcement involved in the investigation.

Out of caution, the university canceled all activities and asked residential students to remain in residence halls while non-residential students, and all faculty and staff, were advised not to come to campus.

Investigators have limited immediate detail about the threat and are emphasizing the ongoing investigation.

The incident recalls a prior swatting hoax at Villanova in August 2025, which prompted a large law enforcement response and lockdowns during an orientation session.

Villanova’s Nova Alert page was the channel for ongoing updates.

The story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available, with ongoing updates from The Villanovan.

Swatting incidents are associated with an underground cybercrime group, raising broader concerns about campus safety and emergency response.

Officials pledged ongoing updates and transparency as the investigation continued, aiming to return to normal operations while ensuring community safety.