A deadly shooting at Brown University left at least two people dead and eight others critically injured Thursday afternoon, as police continue to search for the suspect who fled the Providence, Rhode Island campus.
The violence erupted near the Barus & Holley Engineering building, prompting a campus-wide lockdown at the Ivy League institution where approximately 10,000 students attend. Initial reports of an active shooter triggered emergency alerts at 4:22 p.m., instructing the campus community to shelter in place.
Confusion as manhunt continues
Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley confirmed the casualties during a news conference, as authorities scrambled to secure the area. “Two people were killed and eight others were critically injured in the shooting,” Smiley told reporters while the search for the gunman remained active.
Adding to the chaos, Brown University initially stated a suspect was in custody but later retracted that claim, acknowledging no arrests had been made. The suspect, described by Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara as “a male in dark clothing,” was last seen fleeing the building and leaving campus in the direction of Hope Street.
Why was there confusion about the suspect’s capture? Officials haven’t elaborated, but the rapidly evolving situation likely contributed to the mixed messages as multiple agencies coordinated their response.
Providence Police urged residents and students to avoid the area or shelter in place. “Multiple individuals have been shot in the area near Brown University, and because the investigation is active, the public is urged to shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice,” the department said in a statement.
Campus in crisis
The university’s emergency alert system sent an urgent message instructing those on campus to “RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself,” according to messages received by students and staff.
Federal authorities quickly joined the response effort. The FBI arrived on scene to assist local law enforcement as the situation unfolded, coordinating with Providence Police and other agencies.
Providence Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus, expressed the community’s shock. “We’re still getting information about what’s going on, but we’re just telling people to lock their doors and to stay vigilant,” he said. “As a Brown alum, someone who loves the Brown community and represents this area, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and the folks who’ve been impacted.”
Campus response
The shooting occurred as students were preparing for final exams, with many gathered in academic buildings throughout campus. University officials worked to account for students in exam locations while coordinating with medical teams to provide support.
Brown University, which has approximately 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students, activated its emergency response protocols as the situation unfolded. Campus buildings remained locked down hours after the initial reports as police conducted a thorough search.
Victims were transported to local hospitals, though details about their conditions beyond the critical injuries reported by the mayor were not immediately available. Medical facilities in the area mobilized additional staff to handle the influx of patients.
As night fell on the Providence campus, the search for the shooter continued — leaving a community shattered, families anxious for information, and questions about campus security that will linger long after the immediate crisis ends.
