Providence, Rhode Island — A tragic shooting incident at Brown University has left two students dead and nine others injured. The attack occurred Saturday afternoon, prompting a massive response from law enforcement as the campus went on lockdown amid a manhunt for the shooter, who remains at large.
Authorities have confirmed that the victims were all students of the university. Six of the injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition. Students barricaded themselves inside classrooms and buildings, using furniture to shield themselves as the chaos unfolded, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty on campus.
Law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels are actively searching for a male suspect dressed in black, who escaped the scene shortly after the shooting. Investigators have released a brief video that captures a figure fitting the suspect’s description but do not possess images of the suspect entering the building or a clear facial recognition.
A lockdown was imposed on Brown’s campus, and Providence officials urged residents and students to shelter in place while providing any relevant information to the police. An emergency alert was sent out via text message around 4:20 p.m. local time, warning students of the ongoing threat near the Barus and Holley engineering building.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the press late Saturday, stating that no further briefings would be held overnight unless significant developments emerged in the investigation. He reassured the public that they could engage in their Sunday activities but should remain cautious and attentive.
As the investigation continued, the university announced the cancellation of final exams scheduled for the following day due to the grim circumstances. The shooting reportedly transpired during a review session for an upcoming exam, further compounding the tragedy.
Rachel Friedberg, an economics professor at Brown, recounted the horrors that unfolded in her classroom during the incident. Although not present at the time, her teaching assistant informed her that the shooter burst into the classroom and began firing, prompting students to scramble for safety.
In a related move, the FBI has established a website and hotline for tips related to the shooting, encouraging anyone with information to come forward. The agency is also collecting video evidence to aid in the ongoing investigation.
The heightened police presence across Providence is expected to continue as residents and students alike grapple with the aftermath of the tragic incident, reflecting a larger issue of gun violence that has increasingly permeated communities across the nation.