A chilling scene unfolded Saturday at Brown University in Rhode Island, leaving at least two people dead and eight critically injured after a shooting near the Barus and Holley engineering building.
The first reports of an active shooter surfaced around 4 p.m., immediately triggering a massive response from local and federal law enforcement. Authorities are currently searching for a male suspect, last seen fleeing the scene on foot and described as wearing black clothing.
Despite a thorough search of the area, no weapon has yet been recovered. A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the entire Brown University area, casting a pall of fear over the campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
The FBI Boston field office is providing full support to Rhode Island authorities, deploying evidence response teams, investigators, tactical units, and victim assistance services. The scale of the response underscores the gravity of the situation.
Investigators are working to identify everyone who was present in the Barus and Holley building at the time of the shooting, complicated by the fact that final exams were scheduled there between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Determining who was present is crucial to understanding the full scope of the tragedy.
Local residents expressed shock and disbelief. One resident, Elias Christian, described the event as “scary,” noting that the area is typically considered a safe part of the city, deeply connected to the heart of the Brown University campus.
The Barus and Holley building itself is a hub of academic activity, housing both classrooms and specialized laboratory spaces. The shooting occurred within a building vital to the university’s engineering programs.
News of the shooting quickly reached beyond Rhode Island, prompting reactions from national figures. The governor of Rhode Island stated simply, “The unthinkable has happened,” capturing the collective grief and disbelief.
Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution with over 11,000 students, is now grappling with a tragedy that has shattered the sense of security within its historic campus. The majority of first-year students reside directly on campus, amplifying the impact of this event.
Providence, a coastal city located approximately 50 miles south of Boston, is now the site of an ongoing investigation. The community is left reeling, seeking answers and offering support to those affected by this devastating act of violence.
