A mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon killed two students and wounded nine, sending the campus into a state of emergency.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred in the Barus & Holley building, a seven‑story complex that houses the School of Engineering and the physics department. The shooting took place during final‑exam sessions, when students were taking engineering design exams in the first‑floor classroom.
Building and Exam Context
The building contains more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the university’s website. The outer doors of the building were unlocked, but rooms used for exams required badge access, said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
Investigation and Police Response
Hundreds of police officers scoured the Brown University campus and nearby neighborhoods, poring over video footage overnight. Surveillance footage released by police shows the suspect, dressed in black, walking away from the scene with his face not visible. Investigators said it was unclear whether the suspect was a student. The search involved officers in tactical gear leading students out of some campus buildings into a fitness center where they waited.
Campus Impact and Safety Measures
The suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building and some witnesses reported that he might have been wearing a camouflage mask, according to Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy O’Hara. Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun, a claim made by a law‑enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The campus was placed under a shelter‑in‑place order. Students were instructed to stay inside or not return home until the order was lifted. The order was released Sunday morning, but some areas of the campus remain off limits due to the ongoing investigation. Mayor Smiley said ‘The Brown community’s heart is breaking and Providence’s heart is breaking along with it.’ The downtown streets normally bustling on weekends were eerily quiet.
Medical Response
Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital. Hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said ‘Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable.’ One victim was in critical condition. The nine wounded were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition and the others were stabilized.
Victim Information
University President Christina Paxson said ‘I was told 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting but it was not clear if the victim was a student.’ President Paxson said that 10 of the injured were students and that another person was injured by fragments but it was unclear if that victim was a student.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, heard gunshots and ran to a nearby building where she sheltered for several hours. Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate and former Survivor contestant, left her lab 15 minutes before the shots rang out. Alex Bruce, a senior biochemistry student, heard sirens outside and said ‘I’m just in here shaking,’ as he watched armed officers surround his dorm. Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student, turned off lights in a nearby lab and hid under desks after receiving an alert. Mari Camara, a 20‑year‑old junior from New York City, sought shelter in a taqueria and spent more than three hours there.
Authorities and Policy
The incident has drawn attention to Rhode Island’s strict gun laws. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee vowed that all resources were being deployed to catch the suspect. The shooting took place during final exams, a period when students are preparing for their last courses of the semester. The university’s student body numbers are roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students, with tuition, housing and other fees approaching $100,000 per year.
Key Takeaways
- Two students were killed and nine others wounded in a mass shooting at Brown University.
- The suspect, described as wearing black and possibly a camouflage mask, was taken into custody by 6 a.m. Sunday.
- The incident occurred during final‑exam sessions in the Barus & Holley building, a seven‑story engineering complex with over 100 labs.
- The suspect’s identity and motive remain unknown.
Conclusion
The shooting has left the Brown community and the city of Providence in mourning. Authorities continue to investigate the motive and the suspect’s background while the campus gradually returns to normal operations. The city of Providence and the Brown community are coping with the aftermath of the tragedy.
