Multiple US University Campuses Disrupted by Verified Swatting Incidents

Several universities across the United States have recently experienced swatting incidents involving false active shooter reports, causing significant disruptions and alarm among students and staff. At the University of Kentucky, a swatting call triggered a rapid police response to the William T. Young Library, reassuring students despite the scare early in the fall semester. Similarly, the University of Arkansas faced a large-scale swatting event with hundreds of emergency calls leading to a campus-wide police response and multiple lockdowns following a false active shooter alert at the Mullins Library. The University of Colorado Boulder also endured a swatting hoax that resulted in a three-hour shelter-in-place order and heightened security measures, with no suspects identified. Authorities nationwide are investigating these incidents, which experts warn will likely persist until legal frameworks adapt to the misuse of emergency systems. These events highlight a troubling trend of swatting that adds stress to educational environments already dealing with the challenges of campus safety and student well-being.