US EditionSpate of hoax calls about active shooters stir fear at college campuses around the US
False reports targeted at over 10 U.S. college campuses disrupt activities and strain law enforcement, with FBI investigating possible common origins of these coordinated swatting incidents.
- Between August 21 and 25, 2025, at least 11 U.S. universities across multiple states—including locations as far apart as Arkansas and Pennsylvania—were targeted by hoax active shooter reports, leading to lockdowns and evacuations.
- These swatting incidents occurred amid increasing real threats of gun violence, leading law enforcement to respond urgently despite the calls being false.
- Multiple calls often included fake gunfire sounds and followed a pattern describing a rifle-wielding suspect near central campus buildings, causing fear and chaos among students and staff.
- The FBI stated it is investigating these swatting cases, warning the hoaxes endanger innocent people and strain law enforcement, while a campus safety expert said it is a delicate balance avoiding panic but recognizing real threats.
- The hoaxes have led to temporary lockdowns and class cancellations, raising concerns among officials that repeated false alarms may cause people to become desensitized, potentially slowing their reaction to real emergencies and posing an ongoing challenge for campus security.
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66 Articles
Hoax Active Shooter Calls At College Campuses May Have A Dangerous Consequence
On Monday alone, law enforcement responded to calls claiming there were active shooters at Arkansas, Northern Arizona University, Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado University and the University of New Hampshire.
·United States
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Associated Press News+55 Reposted by 55 other sources
Spate of hoax calls about active shooters stir fear at college campuses around the US
A rash of hoax calls about active shooters on at least a dozen college campuses around the U.S. has spread fear among students as the school year begins.
·United States
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Spate of hoax calls about active shooters stir fear at college campuses around U.S.
A rash of hoax calls about active shooters on college campuses has spread fear among students around the country as the school year begins at institutions of higher learning. The calls have prompted schools to issue campus-wide texts to “run,…
·Johnstown, United States
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Total News Sources66
Leaning Left13Leaning Right5Center43Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
L 21%
C 70%
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