Federal and local law enforcement rushed to the scene of an active shooter at Villanova University, with a shelter-in-place order issued to students.
The order, which was issued just after 4:50 p.m. EDT, drew a large response of armed police officers to the university's law school. Other armed officers were watching the scene from the top deck of what appeared to be a parking garage, according to footage from WPIV-TV.
"We believe there is a shooter," District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told WPIV. "Somebody may have been shot already, we're trying [to] figure that out."
Stollsteimer said he could not provide any information on possible victims or injuries.
The Radnor Township Police Department confirmed it was on the scene. The view from WPIV's helicopter showed law enforcement with tactical gear entering buildings on the campus, which is about 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Videos posted on social media showed a crowd being rushed inside a building on campus, according to WPIV. New student orientation and registration started Thursday and is scheduled to go until Saturday, with classes beginning Monday.
Brandon Ambrosino, a professor of theology and ethics at Villanova who was not on campus at the time, told WPIV that most faculty members were not on campus, but students moved in Wednesday. He said he and colleagues were struggling to find information about the active shooter during the chaotic afternoon.
"None of my colleagues know what's happening. We're messaging back and forth," Ambrosino said.
Democrat state Rep. Lisa Borowski, whose district includes Villanova, said that at about 5 p.m., she received a text from Radnor Township Police and Villanova campus police for local residents to shelter in place.
"I am very worried and very concerned," she said.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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