Chaos broke out during a mass for incoming students at Villanova University on Thursday after a ‘cruel hoax’ sent people running for their lives.

News of a man carrying an automatic rifle in the law school library caused students and faculty to urgently seek safety at the esteemed Pennsylvania institution that Pope Leo XIV once attended.

Following the initial warning, a second notice advised students to steer clear of the law school. Earlier in the day, the law school had conducted its orientation, which was capped off with a picnic organized by the Villanova Law Alumni Association. Students were also directed to ‘lock or barricade doors.’

Heavily-armed police officers swiftly arrived at the scene, weapons ready, as they entered the Law School of Scarpa Hall to search for the suspect and any potential shooting victims. Fortunately, no victims were found.

Eventually, university officials gave the all clear – noting that there never was an active shooter on the campus.

‘Today as we are celebrating Orientation Mass to welcome our newest Villanovans and their families to our community, panic and terror ensued with the news of a possible shooter at the Law School,’ Rev. Peter M. Donohue, the president of the university said in a statement.

‘Mercifully, no one was injured and we now know that it was a cruel hoax – there was no active shooter, no injuries and no evidence of firearms present on campus.

‘While that is a blessing and relief, I know today’s events have shaken our entire community.’ 

Radnor Township Police Department rushed to the scene of Villanova University following reports of an active shooter

Heavily-armed police officers were pictured at the scene of Villanova University Thursday evening

One father told how the report came as new students and their families were attending mass, causing them to flee in panic

The university president went on to thank the local police for their quick response, as well as the ‘orientation counselors and all of the Villanova staff in attendance at the Orientation Mass, who responded calmly and compassionately to a very frightening and unnerving situation.

‘Amid my thanks, I would like to apologize to our first-year students and their families,’ Donohue continued. 

‘This is not the introduction to Villanova that I had hoped for. And while I cannot do anything to relieve the unrest you are feeling right now, I can offer a prayer.’ 

He later explained that the school had received a report of an active shooter inside the law school building with an automatic rifle. 

One man told Fox 29 that he was moving his son into school today and was attending an outdoor mass when the priest suddenly stopped speaking and left the altar.

Soon, he began to hear rumors that there was a shooter and everyone began to run for their lives.

Students also shared photos and videos showing them hiding in utility closets and barricading the doors. 

Students were seen sheltering behind a wall at the campus as the active shooter threat remained in place

Students and faculty members ran for their lives following the active shooter alert

Pope Leo XIV (pictured) is an alumni of the school, from which he received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Amid the rumors, the campus was put on lockdown, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told CBS News. 

‘They have officers right now who are searching buildings right now,’ he said, vowing: ‘We’re going to get to the bottom of this. We’re going to make this campus safe.’ 

Footage from NBC Philadelphia showed heavily-armed officers storming into a building, the glass front door of which appeared to be shattered. 

Armored vehicles were also spotted nearby, according to 6 ABC.  

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro noted that State Police and federal law enforcement officers also responded to the school, as he told residents to ‘avoid the area and follow the direction of local authorities.’ 

As the investigation continued, the Radnor Township Police Department it was responding to the scene.

‘All nearby residents and students are asked to SHELTER IN PLACE AT this time,’ the police department urged on social media.

In an update just before 6pm, it reiterated that it is an active situation as once again urged students and faculty to ‘STAY IN PLACE UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER GUIDES YOU.’

The students were told to avoid the law school, which held its orientation earlier in the day

The hoax also prompted officials at the nearby Lower Merion School District to send out an alert to parents, informing them that the students and staff were moved indoors and everyone appeared to be safe. 

Villanova University is a private Catholic university in the Philadelphia suburbs. It borders Lower Merion Township and Radnor Township at the center of the city’s wealthy Main Line neighborhoods.

New student orientation and registration started Thursday and is scheduled to go until Saturday. Classes begin Monday. 

This is a breaking news story.