Tragedy Strikes Brown University: Mass Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Nine Injured
A tragic incident occurred at Brown University in Rhode Island, where two students lost their lives and nine others were injured in a mass shooting. The shooting took place in a classroom at the Barus and Holley engineering building on Hope Street. Authorities are actively searching for a suspect described as a man dressed in black who was last seen leaving the building on foot. Surveillance footage matching the alleged gunman's description has been released by the police. Despite the absence of weapons at the scene, a shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the greater Brown University area.
FBI Boston has confirmed its assistance to law enforcement partners in Rhode Island, offering resources such as evidence response, investigative and tactical support, and victim assistance. Local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are also providing support, with over 400 officers on the ground. School officials are working to identify individuals present in the building during the shooting, as multiple final exams were scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The outer doors were unlocked due to the ongoing exams, as per authorities.
Residents in the vicinity, like Elias Christian, expressed shock at the incident, describing it as "scary." President Donald Trump, after being briefed on the shooting, expressed his condolences and urged prayers for the victims. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also reacted to the tragedy, calling it "unthinkable." Brown University, an Ivy League institution with over 11,000 students, has all first-year undergraduates living on campus. The Barus and Holley engineering building houses classrooms and lab space, contributing to the academic environment of the university.
Providence, a coastal city located approximately 50 miles south of Boston, is where the university is situated. The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.