Gunfire at Brown University During Final Exams: 2 Dead, 8 Hurt, Search for Shooter Underway

At Least 2 Killed, 8 Injured in Shooting at Brown University During Exams.

At least two people were killed and eight others critically injured in a shooting at Brown University’s engineering building on Saturday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said, as police continued searching for a suspect on the Ivy League campus. The incident occurred during the second day of final exams.

The shooting prompted a large police response, with officers searching campus buildings for more than two hours. A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for the surrounding area.

Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara described the suspect as a male dressed in black, last seen leaving the building. Mayor Smiley urged nearby residents to stay indoors until authorities declare the area safe, adding, “We have all available resources” working to locate the suspect.

Brown University initially reported that a suspect was in custody, but officials later clarified that no connection to the shooting was found with the individual who had been detained.

Providence City Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus, expressed his sorrow: “As a Brown alum, someone who loves the Brown community and represents this area, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and the folks who’ve been impacted.”

The shooting took place near the Barus and Holley building, a seven-story facility housing Brown’s School of Engineering and physics department. The building contains over 100 laboratories, classrooms, and offices, and engineering design exams were underway at the time. Some students hid under desks and turned off lights after receiving emergency alerts.

Former President Donald Trump tweeted that he had been briefed on the shooting, offering his condolences to victims and families. He also noted that Brown University Police had reversed an earlier statement regarding a suspect in custody.

Vice President JD Vance said authorities were closely monitoring the situation, with the FBI ready to assist. Officials cautioned that information is still preliminary as investigators continue to determine what happened.

Brown University, a private institution, enrolls roughly 7,300 undergraduate and over 3,000 graduate students.