PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A mass shooting shattered the peace of the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday afternoon, leaving at least two people dead and eight others critically wounded. The incident, which unfolded during the second day of the school's final examination period, prompted an immediate, campus-wide lockdown as police launched a massive manhunt for the gunman who remains at large.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the casualties in a Saturday evening press conference, stating that two individuals had been killed, and eight others were transported to local hospitals where they are in critical but stable condition. The mayor warned that the numbers remained preliminary as the investigation is active and ongoing.
The initial alarm was raised shortly after 4:00 PM local time (EST), with the Ivy League university issuing an urgent "Active Shooter" alert to students and staff. The shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley Engineering building, a central academic facility that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. University Provost Francis J. Doyle III later confirmed that students were taking final exams in the building at the time of the attack.
Suspect Remains at Large
Authorities are searching for a sole suspect, described by Providence Deputy Chief of Police Timothy O’Hara as a male dressed all in black, who was last seen leaving the engineering complex on foot.
A period of confusion marked the immediate aftermath of the event. University and police alerts initially stated that a suspect was in custody, a message that was quickly retracted. Officials clarified that a person had been briefly detained but was determined to have no involvement. Law enforcement, including Providence Police and the FBI, converged on the campus to search buildings and the surrounding area, urging the community to adhere to the standing shelter-in-place order.
Community in Lockdown
The university’s emergency alert system directed students to "Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice," employing the "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT" protocol for those in the affected location. Students across the campus, including those in nearby dorms and libraries, were forced to barricade themselves for hours while tactical teams conducted their search.
Providence Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus, expressed heartbreak over the tragedy. “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,” Goncalves said.
The shooting marks the second major incident of gun violence on a U.S. university campus this week and has reignited national conversations about gun control and campus safety measures. The investigation is continuing, with authorities asking anyone with information to contact the Providence Police Department. The shelter-in-place order for the greater Brown University area remains in effect as the hunt for the suspect continues.