Brown University Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Eight Critically Hurt

A deadly shooting on Saturday inside Brown University’s engineering building left two students dead and eight others critically wounded, officials said.

Suspect Details

Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara reported that the suspect is a male who may be in his 30s. He described the attacker as wearing black clothing and possibly a camouflage gray mask, according to witnesses. O’Hara added that the suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building after the incident. The suspect has not been apprehended and remains at large.

Victim Information

Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all victims are students, though she had not yet verified the latest victim announced at the time of her statement. Mayor Brett Smiley noted that the ninth victim’s injuries were not life‑threatening, adding that the community would face difficult days ahead. The mayor also clarified that a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but later cleared of any involvement.

Official Statements

Governor Dan McKee said the state was in contact with the White House and declared that “the unthinkable has happened.” He urged the public to keep the families of the victims in their thoughts. Smiley called for prayers for the families and emphasized the holiday season’s impact on the community’s healing process.

Student Testimony

Chemical engineering student Emma Ferraro was in the Barus & Holley lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops from the building’s eastern side. She described how everyone paused before realizing the sounds were gunshots. Ferraro fled toward a nearby building where she has been sheltering for a couple of hours, and she texted that she is “eagerly awaiting updates” while hearing helicopters overhead.

Examination of the Scene

Brown’s Provost Frank Doyle stated that final exams were taking place in the engineering building Saturday afternoon when the shooter opened fire. The incident occurred inside a classroom, according to the university’s emergency notification system. The campus has since activated a shelter‑in‑place order for the greater Brown University area.

Police Investigation Status

The mayor confirmed that a shooter is not in custody. The police are still searching for a suspect or suspects, as alerts issued through Brown’s emergency notification system initially indicated that a suspect was in custody, but later corrected that statement.

Medical Response

Eight students are in critical but stable condition, according to the mayor’s updates. The ninth victim’s injuries were described as non‑life‑threatening. Emergency responders, including helicopters, have been on the scene, and the campus remains under heightened security.

Community Impact

Mayor Smiley warned that the day would be difficult and that the community would face months of healing. He emphasized the importance of prayers for the victims’ families, especially given the upcoming Christmas holiday. The university community has been urged to remain vigilant and supportive.

Shelter‑In‑Place Measures

A shelter‑in‑place order covers the greater Brown University area. Students and staff are advised to stay indoors until further notice. The university’s emergency notification system continues to provide updates as the investigation progresses.

Legal and Administrative Actions

The university’s emergency notification system initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody. Later alerts corrected that statement, indicating that police were still searching for the suspect. No charges have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Key Takeaways

• Two students were killed and eight were critically injured in a shooting at Brown University.
• The suspect, a male in his 30s, was last seen leaving the engineering building and remains at large.
• Governor Dan McKee and Mayor Brett Smiley have called for prayers and emphasized the community’s healing process.

The shooting has shocked the Providence community and the broader academic world. As the investigation continues, authorities urge the public to stay tuned for official updates and to respect the privacy of the affected families.