Overview of the Incident
A large-scale manhunt is underway after a fatal shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, left two students dead and nine others injured. The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon inside a university classroom where students were attending an exam-related session.
The prestigious Ivy League campus was immediately placed on lockdown as law enforcement searched for the suspect, who remains at large.
What Happened on Campus
According to police, the gunman opened fire around 4:00 p.m. local time inside the Barus and Holley building, part of Brown University’s engineering complex. Panic spread quickly as students attempted to escape or hide during the attack.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaos inside the classroom, with students scrambling for cover as shots were fired.
Victims and Medical Response
Hospital officials confirmed that most of the injured victims are currently in critical but stable condition. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed or wounded, pending notification of their families.
University exams scheduled for the day were cancelled following the incident.
Suspect Description and Police Search
Police released CCTV footage showing a male suspect leaving the building shortly after the shooting. The individual was reportedly dressed entirely in black and may have been wearing a mask, making identification difficult.
No weapon has been recovered, and investigators have not confirmed the suspect’s motive or whether he has any connection to the university.
Extra armed police units have been deployed across Providence as authorities continue to search surrounding areas.
Campus Lockdown and Community Impact
Students and staff in parts of the campus were ordered to shelter in place, while police escorted individuals from non-residential buildings to safe locations.
Local businesses near the university locked their doors, with customers and employees sheltering inside as emergency lights filled the area.
Brown University President Christina Paxson described the incident as “deeply devastating” for the entire university community.
National Reaction
US President Donald Trump called the shooting “a terrible thing” and urged prayers for the victims. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee labeled the attack an “unthinkable tragedy” for the capital city.
The shooting adds to a growing list of mass shootings in the United States this year, renewing national concerns over campus safety and gun violence.
A Growing Pattern of Gun Violence
According to the Gun Violence Archive, this incident brings the total number of mass shootings in the US this year to 389. The organization defines a mass shooting as an event in which four or more people are injured or killed, excluding the attacker.