Villanova Hoax & Rising Threat of ‘Swatting‘ Spark Calls for Stronger Laws, tech Solutions
Villanova, PA – August 26, 2025 – A campus-wide blessing at Villanova University followed an active shooter hoax reported Wednesday, highlighting a risky and escalating trend known as “swatting” – deliberately making false reports of emergencies to trigger a large police response. The incident at Villanova comes as authorities grapple with increasing swatting incidents nationwide, and experts are urging for stronger legal penalties and improved technology to combat the practice.
The hoax at Villanova, thankfully resulting in no injuries, underscores the real-world consequences of swatting, which can divert critical resources from genuine emergencies and put both the public and law enforcement at risk.
Swatting involves falsely reporting a serious situation – such as a hostage situation, bomb threat, or active shooter – to emergency services. The goal is to provoke a SWAT team (Special Weapons and Tactics) response to a specific address, often targeting an individual. The practice gained notoriety in 2017 with the tragic death of Andrew Finch in Wichita, Kansas. Finch was fatally shot by police responding to a swatting call made by Tyler Barriss, who falsely reported a hostage situation at Finch’s home. Barriss, who did not know Finch, targeted an address he believed belonged to someone else. Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in Finch’s death, as reported by NBC News.
“The fact is every hoax call like this diverts officers from real emergencies and real risks, and that’s the real tragedy of it,” said John DeCarlo, a former police chief and current professor at the University of New Haven’s Henry C.Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. “It takes public protection away were it’s needed.”
The FBI has begun treating swatting as a federal offense,a significant step in addressing the issue. However, authorities face challenges in tracking down perpetrators who often utilize technology to mask their voices, IP addresses, and identities.
Earlier this year, an 18-year-old from Southern California was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of making over 375 swatting and threat calls between August 2022 and january 2024, including false reports of mass shootings, according to the Department of Justice.
Experts emphasize the need for a multi-pronged approach to combat swatting. “It’s often like this with technology: We need to catch up,” explained Hill,noting that some states have stronger protections in place. “We need to get some laws on the books.”
The rise in swatting incidents suggests authorities will continue to face a challenging landscape as they work to identify and prosecute those responsible. The potential for real-world harm, as tragically demonstrated in Wichita, underscores the urgency of addressing this dangerous trend.
Reporting by: Amanda Lee Myers, Senior Crime Reporter, USA TODAY & Michael Loria, National Reporter, USA TODAY Breaking News Desk. Contact Michael Loria at mloria@usatoday.com, @mchael_mchael or on Signal at (202) 290-4585.