Two people were killed and at least eight others injured after a shooting at Brown University on Saturday, prompting a large police response and a shelter-in-place order as authorities searched for the suspect. The incident unfolded during final exams, sending shockwaves through the campus and surrounding neighborhood.
Authorities said the shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley building, a major academic complex housing Brown University’s School of Engineering and physics department. The campus, located in Providence, Rhode Island, was placed under lockdown as officers conducted an hours-long search of university buildings and nearby residential streets.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said two people were killed and eight others were injured. Of those wounded, several were listed in critical but stable condition, according to city and hospital officials. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether the victims were students, faculty, or members of the public, cautioning that details remained preliminary and subject to change.
Shooting at Brown University Prompts Lockdown and Campus Search
Police said the suspect was dressed in black and was last seen fleeing the area on foot. Deputy Chief of Police Timothy O’Hara told reporters that officers responded swiftly and expanded the search beyond campus grounds, moving through backyards, porches, and nearby streets lined with brick homes.
At one point, a person believed to be connected to the incident was detained. Mayor Smiley later said that individual was determined not to be involved and was released. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday evening.
Brown University issued emergency alerts shortly before 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, warning that it was “imperative that all members of our community remain sheltered in place.” The university said police activity would continue until authorities determined the area was secure.
Saturday marked the second day of final exams for the fall semester, a period when academic buildings are typically busy well into the evening. The timing heightened fear and uncertainty among students and staff, many of whom were studying or working on projects when the shooting began.
Victims Treated at Local Hospital
Kelly Brennan, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Hospital, said eight injured individuals were transported for treatment. Six were listed in critical but stable condition, one was in critical condition, and one was reported stable.
“Rhode Island Hospital is working closely with and providing support to all impacted family members, and remains in continuous communication with Brown University,” Brennan said in a statement. She added that the hospital was placed on lockdown as a precaution but continued to accept emergency patients.
Officials have not released the identities of the victims, citing the need to notify families and the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Students Describe Chaos and Fear
Several students described moments of confusion followed by fear as they realized what was happening.
Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, said she was in the Barus & Holley lobby working on a final project when she heard loud popping sounds from the eastern side of the building. At first, she said, people froze, unsure of what they were hearing.
“When it registered that it was gunshots, I ran,” Ferraro said in a text message. She fled to a nearby building, where she sheltered for hours while awaiting updates. She said helicopters circled overhead and emergency vehicles crowded the area, adding to the tension.
Jiv Daya, who was driving to a café near campus, said he encountered a heavy police presence and stopped to see what was happening.
“I saw a person on the ground,” he said. “They were getting CPR. It was really shocking. It was a scary sight.” Daya said he soon learned from nearby students that there was an active shooter. His car became trapped between emergency vehicles as police secured the scene.
Widespread Shelter-in-Place Order
Students across campus sought refuge wherever they could, including dormitories, libraries, and nearby businesses along Thayer Street, a busy commercial area adjacent to the university.
Mari Camara, a 20-year-old junior, said she had just stepped out of the library to get dinner when she saw police cars racing past. She took shelter at a nearby restaurant, where she remained for several hours.
“I’m shocked that all this is happening,” Camara said. “Nothing really ever happens in Providence.”
Alex Bruce, a senior majoring in biochemistry, said he was working on a final research project in his dorm across the street from the engineering complex when he heard sirens and received messages warning of an active shooter.
“I’m just in here shaking,” he said, describing how armed officers in tactical gear surrounded his residence hall, Minden Hall. Bruce said he feared for a friend he believed was inside the Barus & Holley building at the time of the shooting.
Authorities Urge Patience as Investigation Continues
Law enforcement officials emphasized that information in the early stages of an active shooting investigation can change as evidence is verified and witness accounts are assessed. One law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly, said officers were working methodically to ensure public safety.
Police continued to search buildings room by room and urged residents in the area to remain indoors. Streets around the campus were closed for much of the evening, and public transportation routes were disrupted.
University officials said counseling and support services would be made available to students and staff affected by the incident once the immediate emergency subsided.
Campus Safety and Broader Context
The shooting adds to ongoing concerns about gun violence on and near college campuses in the United States, where incidents, though relatively rare, often have outsized psychological impacts on academic communities. Universities nationwide have expanded emergency alert systems and coordination with local police in response to past attacks.
Brown University, one of the nation’s oldest Ivy League institutions, is known for its open campus layout integrated into the city of Providence. That openness, while central to campus life, can complicate security responses during emergencies.
As the investigation continued, officials urged the public to rely on verified updates from law enforcement and the university, warning against speculation or the spread of unconfirmed information.
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