Chaos group takes credit for shooting hoaxes at multiple U.S. colleges.

A small online group has reported responsibility for nearly 20 false school shooting calls targeting colleges across the United States over the past week. The group, known as “Purgatory,” has gained attention for its involvement in a series of panic-inducing incidents that occurred from August 19 to August 25, 2025.

The claims come after a surge of swatting calls—emergency reports of false active shooter situations—created considerable distress among students, faculty, and staff. In a recent communication on the messaging platform Telegram, Purgatory delineated a disturbing business model, advertising its ability to orchestrate fake shooting incidents for a fee ranging from to . One of the group’s co-leaders, who goes by the username Gores, indicated that he was instrumental in executing the majority of the calls.

The most notable incident occurred at Villanova University, where incoming students had just begun their orientation. Reports of an active shooter were disseminated, prompting an urgent alert on the university’s website that advised individuals to seek secure locations and lock their doors. Following several hours of intense fear and anxiety on campus, authorities ultimately confirmed that the shooting threat was a hoax. On the same day, another false alert caused significant disruptions at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Since August 19, there have been a total of 19 similar fabricated shooting reports at U.S. educational institutions, according to data compiled by Inside Higher Ed. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the safety and mental well-being of students as well as the strain it places on local law enforcement and emergency response teams.

Further investigations into Purgatory revealed that researchers from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) successfully infiltrated the group’s Telegram channel. They documented the group making additional false reports, including one involving Bucknell University, and subsequently warned that university officials of the impending deception. GPAHE has since publicly linked Purgatory to the wave of hoaxes, substantiating Gores’ claims of responsibility.

The escalation of swatting incidents emphasizes a troubling intersection of online culture and real-world ramifications, urging institutions and law enforcement to adopt rigorous measures to counter such threats. As these issues unfold, the imperative for enhanced preventative strategies in schools and communities remains ever more critical.