On Saturday afternoon, a tragic shooting incident at Brown University during final exams left two students dead and nine others wounded. A person of interest is currently in custody, but crucial questions surrounding the motive and circumstances of the attack remain unanswered nearly 24 hours later. The shooting triggered chaos across the Ivy League campus and nearby neighborhoods in Providence, Rhode Island, prompting hundreds of officers to conduct a search for the shooter and urging students and staff to shelter in place.
The lockdown, which extended into the night, was lifted early Sunday. However, the police have not yet disclosed any information regarding a potential motive for the shooting. Col. Oscar Perez, the police chief of Providence, announced that the individual in custody is in their 20s, although earlier statements indicated they might be in their 30s. Perez did not confirm whether the detained individual has any connection to Brown University.
The suspect was apprehended at a Hampton Inn hotel located about 20 miles from Providence, where law enforcement officials, including FBI agents, cordoned off sections of the hotel with crime scene tape. Authorities recovered two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines at the time of the arrest, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The shooting occurred during one of the busiest periods in the academic calendar, as students were in the midst of final exams. In response to the tragedy, Brown University has canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers, and projects for the semester, allowing students to leave campus and highlighting the severity of the incident.
Christina Paxson, the college president, expressed her emotional turmoil during a news conference, stating, “They are amazing and they’re supporting each other.” She shared that many students are in hospitals receiving care, with one of the wounded having been released, while seven others remain in critical but stable condition.
The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, discharging more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun. Eyewitness accounts reveal the pandemonium that ensued, with students barricading themselves in classrooms and hiding under desks. One student, Emma Ferraro, recounted how she was working on a project in the lobby when she heard the gunshots. She quickly sought refuge in a nearby building, waiting there for hours.
Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate and recent contestant on CBS's Survivor, shared on social media her experience of leaving the lab just 15 minutes before the shooting erupted. She was later locked down in the campus gym after the incident.
Providence leaders have assured residents of an increased police presence in the area, while many businesses in the city remain closed out of caution. A scheduled 5K run has been postponed, reflecting the solemn atmosphere permeating the community. Mayor Brett Smiley invited residents to gather in a local park for a traditional event, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.
Mayor Smiley shared his visits with wounded students, expressing admiration for their resilience and hope. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me is frankly pretty overwhelming,” he said. “We’re all saddened, scared, tired, but what they’ve been through is something different entirely.”
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are scrutinizing how the shooter gained access to the classroom in the Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and includes numerous labs and classrooms. While outer doors were reportedly unlocked, access to exam rooms required badge entry, raising questions about security protocols.
Brown University, one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges, serves over 7,300 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students. The campus community is now grappling with the aftermath of this shocking event, as they seek to support one another and heal from the tragedy.
As the situation develops, updates will be provided regarding the investigation and the status of those injured in this devastating incident.