An 'Active shooter' hoax causes commotion at Pennsylvania college-another swatting target

[WhatInThe]

An active shooter hoax at a Pennsylvania college causes a massive response and commotion since it was an orientation day at the school(Villanova University). Basically another 'swatting' incident with a fake emergency phone call to the police. I hope there are felony charges waiting for the perp. It's bad enough when an individual is swatted but an entire college campus?

Villanova is victim of ‘cruel’ active-shooter ‘hoax’ that sends terrified new students, families scrambling during move-in, Mass

Just by coincidence there was an unfounded threat at a Tennessee college on the sameday.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus cleared, lockdown lifted after no threat found

False police reports and/or fake emergency calls need to become felony offenses.

 

[IrishEyes]

I was listening to that while hubby had the report on his TV. I was glad (no one was hurt) but irritated at the same time for the reason).

 

[WhatInThe]

I was listening to that while hubby had the report on his TV. I was glad (no one was hurt) but irritated at the same time for the reason).

It was whew after I heard it. If orientation day/week there must have plenty of visitors including parents, siblings, friend helping them move in.

 

[Been There]

Swatting——what’s next?

 

[Rae]

Not a good thing to do with real shootings happening. I hope whoever did this is charged with some kind of punishment.

 

[IrishEyes]

Not a good thing to do with real shootings happening. I hope whoever did this is charged with some kind of punishment.

sorry my post made you angry Rae, I tend to get wordy so I was keeping it brief as possible, not sure how you took that but I had deeper feelings than I stated.

 

[Rae]

@IrishEyes No, not your post, just what happened with the hoax. I should have just put sad, it isn't directed at you at all.

 

[WhatInThe]

Not a good thing to do with real shootings happening. I hope whoever did this is charged with some kind of punishment.

I'd hand them the bill for the response along with prison time.

Don't want a boy who cried wolf scenario. This is a nationwide problem.

 

[oldman]

I heard the Pennsylvania Governor speak yesterday on TV and he promised if the perpetrator was found, he, she, or they would be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

 

[911]

If caught, this person(s) shall be charged with a felony. Often, these people will talk to a friend or relative of their action. These people like to brag. Hopefully, if this happens, the person they confided in will come forward.

 

[JBR]

If caught, this person(s) shall be charged with a felony. Often, these people will talk to a friend or relative of their action. These people like to brag. Hopefully, if this happens, the person they confided in will come forward.

Yeah, a "prank" like that is a reprehensible thing to do. It's no laughing matter.

Interesting to learn (and it's understandable) that it could merit a felony charge. I guess I feel that a year or two sentence in a minimum-security prison might wise the fool up a little. If convicted, what would the existing law actually prescribe?

 

[911]

Yeah, a "prank" like that is a reprehensible thing to do. It's no laughing matter.

Interesting to learn (and it's understandable) that it could merit a felony charge. I guess I feel that a year or two sentence in a minimum-security prison might wise the fool up a little. If convicted, what would the existing law actually prescribe?

There’s nothing on the books as of yet, but there are pending bills before the state legislature. Swatting could also be a Federal charge.
My guess is the perpetrator would be charged with terroristic threats, harassment and filing a false report. It would be a felony conviction that would net the person 5 years in state prison, unless the FBI takes the case.

Swatting is very dangerous for both the police and the person or people where the crime is supposedly taking place.

Villanova went on lockdown and there were several Troopers and local police were ready to move in had this event been for real. There were hundreds of people attending an orientation for new students, some with their parents. It was havoc when the active shooter announcement went out.

 

[WhatInThe]

Another apparent swatting incident at the University of South Carolina with reports of an active shooter with no threats found less than a week later.

‘No evidence of an active shooter’ at University of South Carolina campus, school alert says; All-clear given

 

[Sunny]

The idiots who do things like this have probably never heard the story of the boy who cried wolf. That's exactly what this is.

 

[WhatInThe]

And another one today at an Arkansas University

‘No evidence’ of an active shooter on University of Arkansas campus

4 apparent instances of swatting in less than a week

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I hope they find out who did this and puts him/her in jail (no probation and community service). @WhatInThe ...wow, I haven't seen about the other three on the news.