Authorities in Providence and university officials issued urgent public safety alerts on Saturday after reports of an active shooter on the campus of Brown University, prompting a shelter-in-place order and a significant law enforcement response.
According to Brown University, the situation was first reported around 4:22 p.m. local time, when an emergency alert warned the campus community of an armed individual near the Barus and Holley Engineering Laboratory.
Students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents were instructed to immediately shelter in place, secure doors, silence their phones, and remain hidden until officials declared the area safe.
The university reiterated standard emergency procedures, advising individuals to evacuate if it could be done safely, hide if evacuation was not possible, and use defensive actions only as a last resort.
At approximately 5:27 p.m., a follow-up alert indicated that additional shots had been reported near Governor Street, just two blocks from the initial location.
Shortly after, the Providence Police Department confirmed that multiple victims had been shot in the area surrounding Brown University.
University officials later announced that the shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley Engineering Building, which contains lecture halls, labs, and classrooms for engineering and physics programs.
The building was hosting several examinations at the time of the attack.
Brown University confirmed that two individuals were killed during the incident, while eight others were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were listed in critical but stable condition.
A shelter-in-place order remained in effect as authorities continued searching for the suspect.
Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara stated during an evening press briefing that investigators believe a firearm was used in the attack, though no weapon had been recovered at that time.
Officials added that they had not yet determined what type of firearm was involved.
The suspect was described as a male dressed in black. Police said he fled the scene on foot and did not have any direct interaction with law enforcement during the initial response.
Investigators believe he exited the building on the Hope Street side, though it remains unclear how he entered the facility.
Police confirmed they currently do not have images of the suspect.
Authorities also addressed a separate confrontation involving police and another individual a few blocks away from the university.
Although that incident involved gunfire, investigators have not yet determined whether it is connected to the shooting at Brown University.
Initial reports suggesting a suspect had been detained were later ruled unconfirmed.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley stated that no suspect was in custody and confirmed that Brown University, the City of Providence, multiple law enforcement agencies, and the FBI are working together to locate the individual responsible.
He added that authorities are not yet able to release details about the victims.
Officials urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues, emphasizing that the situation remains active and rapidly evolving.
Further information will be released as law enforcement verifies additional details and continues the search for the suspect.
