Tragedy Strikes Brown University: Students Injured and Killed in Campus Shooting
A devastating shooting incident at Brown University on Saturday has left at least two students dead and nine others injured, according to official reports. The violence erupted on campus, sending shockwaves through the academic community and prompting a swift law enforcement response.
Providence Police Department Chief Oscar Perez addressed the situation in a press conference early Sunday, stating that a person of interest had been detained overnight. However, Perez declined to offer specific details regarding the location of the detention or whether the individual had any affiliation with the university. Later press conferences provided further updates, indicating the person of interest is in their 20s, and authorities are actively working to establish any connection to Brown University.
The apprehension of the individual was a collaborative effort involving local authorities and the FBI. Coventry police confirmed that the person was taken into custody without incident at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time at a Hampton Inn and Suites located on Center of New England Boulevard. Following the arrest, the individual was transported to Providence, Rhode Island.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley conveyed a sense of relief to the city’s residents during a press conference on Sunday. He reported that the conditions of the nine students who were hospitalized on Saturday afternoon had not worsened overnight. As of Sunday morning, seven individuals remained in stable condition, one was in stable but critical condition, and one patient had been discharged from the hospital.
“The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,” Mayor Smiley stated. “The investigation with regard to the individual who has been detained is very much ongoing and in the middle of it right now, but we’re providing this update specifically so that the people of Providence can breathe a little easier this morning. That is also why we feel confident and comfortable to lift the shelter in place for the city.”
The initial alert to the Brown University community regarding an active shooter came at 4:22 p.m. EST, with the incident reported near the Barus and Holley engineering building. Officials indicated that final exams were in progress within the building at the time of the shooting. The suspect was described as being dressed in black and was last seen exiting the building. Further details later confirmed that the shooting occurred inside a classroom.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed early Sunday that her understanding was that the shooting took place in a final exam room. “This is a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community,” she said in an initial statement.
By Sunday morning, Brown University Provost Francis J. Doyle III announced that all classes and final exams were postponed in light of the tragedy.
The swift apprehension of the person of interest was attributed to the close collaboration between local, state, and federal officials and law enforcement agencies. Mayor Smiley assured the community that police presence would remain elevated throughout the city to foster a sense of security.
In the hours following the shooting, law enforcement officers conducted searches of academic buildings, backyards, and porches as they worked to secure the campus and surrounding areas. Brown University has a significant student population, comprising approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students.
The incident also drew national attention, with then-President Trump commenting on the situation. He stated on Truth Social that he had been briefed on the unfolding events and offered his condolences.
Early reports from news outlets indicated conflicting information regarding the suspect’s status, with some initially reporting an arrest that was later clarified.
Vice President Vance also expressed his thoughts and prayers for the victims on the social platform X.
The university’s initial alert had instructed students and staff to “shelter in place by locking doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice.” This order was lifted shortly before 6 a.m. on Sunday.
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released a statement expressing his heartbreak for the students, noting that this incident adds to a growing list of horrifying mass shootings. He echoed Mayor Smiley’s call for residents to rely only on official updates from Brown University and the Providence Police.
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island also issued a statement, acknowledging the families gathered in hospital waiting rooms and offering them support. He emphasized the need for community solidarity in the days ahead. The FBI’s Boston field office confirmed its assistance to law enforcement in Rhode Island.
Student Katie Sun shared her harrowing experience with The Brown Daily Herald, the university newspaper, describing the event as “honestly quite terrifying” and noting that the shots appeared to originate from the vicinity of the classrooms.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing concerns surrounding gun violence on college campuses and the profound impact it has on students, faculty, and the wider community. The investigation into the motive and circumstances of the shooting is ongoing.