Police are currently conducting a manhunt for a gunman who shot and killed two students and injured nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when the attacker opened fire in a classroom at the Holley engineering building, which is located at the eastern end of the university campus.
The shooter was described as a man dressed entirely in black and fled the scene on foot. A shelter-in-place warning has been issued for the surrounding area, urging residents and students to remain indoors until further notice. This tragic event marks the 389th mass shooting in the United States this year, according to the independent analysis website Gun Violence Archive. The site defines a mass shooting as an incident involving four or more victims who are killed or injured, excluding the attacker.
What Happened?
The shooting took place around 16:00 local time (21:00) during final exams in the Holley engineering building. The structure is a seven-story block that includes 117 laboratories, dozens of classrooms, and three lecture halls. An economics professor, Rachel Friedberg, shared her account with Ocean State Radio, explaining that the shooting occurred during a review session led by her teaching assistant. According to her, the shooter entered through the doors, yelled something that he could not recall, and then began firing. Students tried to escape by moving lower in the stadium seating, but several were shot.
Two students studying in the nearby Rockefeller library were also affected by the active gunman alert. They reported staying away from the windows while waiting for police to escort them out. Officers searched the floor, asked them to drop their bags, and raised their hands before leading them to safety.
Brown University, part of the Ivy League, is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States. It has over 11,000 students and is located in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island. The city is approximately 50 miles (80km) from Boston and 180 miles (290km) from New York City.
Who Are the Victims?
Two students lost their lives in the attack, and nine others were injured. Medics report that one person is in critical condition, six are in critical but stable condition, and two others have less severe injuries. The identities of those killed or injured have not yet been released, but Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all victims were students. “This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. It is deeply devastating for all of us,” she said in a statement.
One of the injured individuals did not suffer a gunshot wound, according to police. They stated that the person sustained non-life-threatening injuries from fragments caused by the shooting.
Who Is the Gunman?
Very little is known about the suspect so far. Police have released CCTV footage showing a male suspect walking away from the scene wearing all-black clothing. His face is covered, and no weapon is visible in the video. Officials also mentioned that no firearm was found during a sweep of the building.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if the gunman was a student. Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara described the suspect as a man in his 30s, dressed in black, and possibly wearing a camouflage grey mask. One individual was briefly arrested but was later released after it was determined they were not involved in the shooting.
What Is the Latest?
A large-scale operation involving police and federal agents is underway in Providence, with around 400 officers searching for the suspect. Residents and students near the university have been advised to stay indoors or avoid the area until the shelter-in-place order is lifted. Some students told news.electrictimes.biz that they plan to remain at home until the situation calms down and the gunman is apprehended.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences during a press briefing after returning from the annual Army and Navy football game. He called the shooting “a terrible thing” and said, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt.”
Additional reporting by Pratiksha Ghildial