The recent shooting incident at Brown University has left the community in deep shock and mourning. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me is, frankly, pretty overwhelming,” said a spokesperson reflecting on the harrowing experience. The authorities have described the suspect, a person of interest in his 20s, who was taken into custody around 4 a.m. by U.S. Marshals and local officers at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island. Initial reports had suggested he might be in his 30s.
Kash Patel, the F.B.I. director, confirmed on social media that federal agents and local police tracked the suspect thanks to a lead from the Providence police. The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. during a final exam review for a Principles of Economics class. Christina Paxson, the president of Brown University, expressed her devastation over the incident, stating, “It’s devastating.” A shelter-in-place order was lifted across the campus shortly before 6 a.m. the following day.
Joseph Oduro, a 21-year-old teaching assistant in the economics class, recounted the horrifying moment when the attacker burst into the classroom wearing a face mask and armed with a rifle. “He shouted something that I couldn’t make out and started shooting,” said Oduro.
In total, nine students were injured in the attack, with seven remaining in stable condition as of Sunday morning, while one is reported to be in critical condition. Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, mentioned that authorities were still gathering evidence and had not publicly named the individual in custody. “We’re in the process of collecting evidence and seizing items that we need to seize,” he stated.
Spencer Yang, a first-year student who was wounded in the attack, described how he assisted another victim during the chaos. “To keep him conscious, I just started talking to him, so he didn’t close his eyes and fall asleep,” Yang recalled. Fortunately, the injured student he helped is now stable.
In response to the tragic events, Brown University officials announced that exams would be canceled for the remainder of the semester, allowing students to prioritize their safety and well-being. “For the moment, we encourage everyone to focus on their own safety and well-being,” the provost stated. Students are permitted to return home for winter break immediately if they wish.
This tragic incident is not the first of its kind, as other universities have also canceled classes following similar events. For example, in April 2011, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa suspended classes after a devastating tornado. Last week, Kentucky State University also halted classes and exams following a campus shooting.
On the day of the shooting, as many as 2,000 Brown students were evacuated from campus buildings, with hundreds of police officers deployed to search for the shooter. Many students were initially taken to the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center and later relocated to stay with friends or in nearby hotels. The police detained a person of interest early Sunday morning, lifting the shelter-in-place order shortly thereafter.
Yang, who is originally from New York City and graduated from the Dalton School, described the chaotic scene in the classroom where students were gathered for a final review. “After the shots rang out, it was kind of silent,” he said, recalling how students scrambled for safety. “Once he was gone, I just remember a bunch of people started screaming.”
He managed to call his parents to inform them he was safe before feeling dizzy and needing to be transported to the hospital by police. Doctors reported that the bullet lodged in his muscle does not require removal, and he is expected to be discharged soon, although physical therapy will be necessary before he can return to sports.
The Brown University community is rallying together in the face of this tragedy, with support services being offered to those affected. As students cope with the aftermath of the shooting, the focus remains on healing and prioritizing safety during this challenging time.