False Shooting Threat at UMass Boston Confirmed as Swatting Incident

False Shooting Threat at UMass Boston Confirmed as Swatting Incident

BOSTON, Mass. — Boston Police have confirmed that a reported active shooter situation at the University of Massachusetts Boston on Thursday was a false alarm linked to a series of swatting calls across the city.

Authorities said no shots were fired, no suspects were found, and no injuries have been reported. Despite this, a large-scale emergency response was launched after students and community members initially reported hearing what they believed to be gunfire near East Hall, a residence facility on campus.

Dozens of police officers, campus security, and ambulances rushed to the scene as a precaution. Students inside dormitories were instructed to shelter in place until law enforcement could secure the area.

The university first issued an alert describing the incident as a “police matter,” later escalating it to a “public safety threat” before confirming the reports were unfounded.

Early confusion suggested the incident may have been connected to the nearby Edward M. Kennedy Institute, but the focus quickly shifted back to the dorms.

Officials said the hoax is part of a broader wave of swatting calls targeting multiple locations in Boston on Thursday.

UMass Boston reassured the campus community that there is no ongoing threat, but urged continued vigilance as police track the source of the false reports.