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Swatting Surge: 800 Incidents Strain U.S. Universities

8/26/2025

Center

Universities Combat Swatting

Over 800 swatting incidents have been reported at U.S. universities from January 2023 to June 2024.
Recent hoaxes at the University of South Carolina and Villanova University led to panic and extensive law enforcement responses.
Experts advocate for stronger laws and improved tracking technology to address swatting, which strains emergency resources.
The FBI has initiated a national database to monitor the rising frequency of these incidents.

Right

Governor Condemns Swatting

Villanova University faced its second active shooter hoax in a week during an outdoor Mass on August 24, 2025.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the incident as "cruel swatting" and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
Videos depicted students and families fleeing, underscoring the psychological impact of such hoaxes.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also experienced a lockdown due to a false active shooter alert on the same day.

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Universities Combat Swatting

Over 800 swatting incidents have been reported at U.S. universities from January 2023 to June 2024.
Recent hoaxes at the University of South Carolina and Villanova University led to panic and extensive law enforcement responses.
Experts advocate for stronger laws and improved tracking technology to address swatting, which strains emergency resources.
The FBI has initiated a national database to monitor the rising frequency of these incidents.

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