Two people were killed and nine others injured after a shooter opened fire Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The shooting occurred in the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, where exams and study groups were taking place, university leaders and Providence officials said.
Officials say the incident began at about 4:05 p.m., when police were alerted to an active shooter near the engineering building. The university sent a shelter-in-place message to students and staff instructing them to “Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice.” Authorities later said the shots were fired in a first-floor classroom.
A large manhunt followed. Late Saturday, police released video of a “person of interest” leaving the engineering building; the individual is shown wearing dark clothing with their face not visible. Eyewitnesses reported the person fled on foot via the Hope Street exit and some said the individual may have been wearing a camouflage mask, a detail that has not been confirmed. Police said building doors were left unlocked because exams were underway. The type of firearm used has not been specified and was not immediately recovered.
The FBI joined the response and opened a tip portal for digital photos and videos at FBI.gov/BrownUniversityShooting. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Providence police or submit tips through the FBI site.
Brown University President Christina H. Paxson said the initial victims were students and called the day “deeply tragic.” Rhode Island Hospital reported that of the nine wounded, one was in critical condition, six were in critical but stable condition, and two were in stable condition. Officials later clarified that one of the nine sought treatment after being struck by fragments rather than by gunfire.
The campus stayed on lockdown for hours. Mayor Brett Smiley said more than 400 officers were in the area helping with the investigation and securing the community. A perimeter was set up around parts of campus, and those sheltering in administrative buildings were to be escorted out by law enforcement when conditions were safe. Early confusion included an initial university post saying a suspect was in custody; officials later said that person was not involved. A separate reported shooting nearby was also later determined to be unfounded.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee described the attack as “unthinkable” and said he had spoken with President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel. Officials pledged to pursue and apprehend whoever is responsible and to support victims and families.
Investigators are working to piece together how the suspect entered the building and the sequence of events. Authorities continue to urge anyone with tips, photos or video to contact Providence police or submit information through the FBI tip portal.