False active shooter calls spread panic among universities
False active shooter calls spread panic among universities
At least 11 colleges have been targeted by a wave of swatting incidents as the school year gets underway. Nicole Sganga has details.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The CBS News report is mostly accurate, stating that at least 11 colleges have been targeted by swatting incidents. The report presents the information in a straightforward manner with minimal bias. Minor claims are unverified, but the core narrative is supported by multiple sources.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: At least 11 colleges have been targeted by a wave of swatting incidents.
- Verification Source #3: The hoax calls and false alarms have hit at least 11 college campuses from Arkansas to Pennsylvania.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: The incidents are happening as the school year gets underway.
- Assessment: Unverified, but plausible given the timing of the other reports.
- Claim: Villanova University was targeted by a false active shooter report.
- Verification Source #1: School and local officials had called the false active shooter reports at Villanova a "cruel hoax."
- Verification Source #2: The false report of a gunman drew a large police response to the university's ... university of an “active shooter” at its law school.
- Verification Source #5: In Pennsylvania someone called 911 at about 4:30 p.m. reporting an active shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded
- Assessment: Supported
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- HuffPost (Source 3) confirms that "The hoax calls and false alarms have hit at least 11 college campuses from Arkansas to Pennsylvania."
- USA Today (Source 1) and the New York Times (Source 2) both confirm the false active shooter report at Villanova University, calling it a "cruel hoax."