URGENT UPDATE: At least two people are dead and eight others are critically injured following a shooting earlier today at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The incident, which has shocked the campus community, is marked by an ongoing search for the suspected shooter, described as a male dressed in black.
Authorities issued immediate warnings, instructing students to shelter in place as the situation unfolded. The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. ET during a busy exam period in the Barus and Holley building, which houses engineering and physics classrooms. Students were alerted to the danger via campus notifications urging them to lock doors and silence their phones.
President Donald Trump has commented on the tragic event, stating, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims.” He confirmed that he has been briefed on the situation while attending the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore.
Local law enforcement, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), are actively assisting in the investigation. Providence Deputy Chief of Police Tim O’Hara emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect. Please do not come to the area.”
Witness accounts reveal chaos as emergency responders rushed to the scene. One student, Chiangheng Chien, recounted hiding under desks with classmates as they awaited police assistance. “We waited for about two hours before we were told to evacuate,” he said, expressing the confusion and fear that gripped them throughout the ordeal.
The university’s Provost Francis Doyle has directed the campus community to continue sheltering in place while authorities determine the full extent of the situation. “We have relocated students to get support services at a secure location,” Doyle added.
As the investigation continues, reports emerged of a separate confrontation involving police a few blocks away, initially leading to speculation about a possible second shooter. However, authorities later clarified that there was no confirmed link to the Brown University incident.
As of the latest update from 6:34 p.m. ET, the conditions of the injured victims remain critical but stable, according to a university alert. Specific details about the deceased have not yet been disclosed.
The emotional toll of this incident is palpable. Witnesses described a scene of frantic activity, with emergency vehicles and officers in tactical gear flooding the area. The university community faces an uncertain recovery as it grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence.
This situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the area and follow directions from local authorities.
Stay tuned for more updates on this tragic event.
