The quiet intensity of a Saturday afternoon filled with final exams at Brown University was violently ruptured by the sound of gunfire, plunging the prestigious Ivy League campus into chaos and fear. What began as a routine day for students and staff quickly escalated into a high-stakes active shooter situation that triggered a massive law enforcement response and left a community reeling.
The event, which Mayor Smiley said was a day Rhode Islanders “prayed would never come,” involved a shooting at Brown University’s engineering building (Barus & Holley) during final exams.
Casualties and Injuries
- Fatalities: Two people confirmed dead, described as “community members” by Brown President Paxson.
- Injured: Eight people confirmed injured and transported to Rhode Island Hospital, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
- As of 7:44 p.m., of the eight, six were in critical but stable condition, one was in critical condition, and one was in stable condition.
- Officials repeatedly stressed that the number of victims may change.
Suspect and Investigation Status
- Suspect: A male dressed in all black and wearing a mask.
- Status:No suspect is in custody as of the end of the timeline.
- There was conflicting information earlier in the evening, with authorities detaining and then releasing a person they initially thought might have been involved (6:53 p.m.).
- Police are actively searching for the suspect and have not located a weapon.
- Last Seen: The gunman was last seen leaving Brown’s engineering building on the Hope Street side during the 4 o’clock hour (6:48 p.m.).
- Law Enforcement: The FBI is assisting in the response. Providence Police urged residents in the vicinity to check their home security cameras for footage.
Ongoing Safety Measures
- Shelter in Place: The shelter-in-place order remains active for the Brown campus and surrounding areas.
- Campus Status: Brown President Paxson reiterated that the university is in lockdown, and all community members must remain sheltered in place, keeping doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus (7:49 p.m.).
- Hospital Status: Rhode Island Hospital is also on lockdown (7:44 p.m.).
Community and Official Response
- Official Briefing: Mayor Brett Smiley, Governor Dan McKee, and other officials held a briefing, confirming the casualties and the ongoing search for the shooter (6:36 p.m. – 7:06 p.m.).
- Family Reunification: The location was initially conflicting, but was later confirmed to be Brown’s Nelson Fitness Center at 225 Hope St. (7:29 p.m.). This was later complicated again by the ongoing search (7:42 p.m.).
- National Reaction: The shooting is garnering attention nationally and globally. President Trump spoke briefly, saying, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims” (7:03 p.m.).
Live updates above. A full web story that was published as of 6:25 p.m. is below.
The Initial Crisis and Massive Response
The initial alert from Brown authorities was issued at 4:22 p.m. local time, urgently warning the community to stay away from the area near the Barus & Holley Engineering building on Hope Street. The message was chillingly direct, instructing students and faculty to “Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice,” and invoking the “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” protocol—a grim necessity in modern America.
Multiple victims were confirmed by the university shortly after the initial reports, though officials stated they were “not able to share their condition,” only confirming they had been rushed to local hospitals. However, reliable sources cited by The Associated Press later confirmed the devastating toll: at least two people were dead.
The response from authorities was immediate and overwhelming. Eyewitness accounts, including those from on-scene crews, painted a vivid picture of the sheer scale of the emergency, describing sidewalks strewn with clothing and blood as police cruisers and ambulances swarmed the heart of Brown’s campus along Thayer Street.
Law enforcement personnel were observed methodically moving from building to building in a sweeping search for the perpetrators, a testament to the gravity of the unfolding events.
Search for the Shooter: Confusion and Corrections
The situation remained fluid and highly dangerous for hours. Just after 5:11 p.m., the university was forced to retract an earlier report that a suspect was in custody, confirming that the search was still ongoing and no one was apprehended. This initial confusion highlights the frantic, high-pressure environment faced by campus and city officials as they worked to secure the area and disseminate accurate information.
Compounding the anxiety, an hour after the first report, authorities received an unconfirmed report of shots fired near Governor Street, further broadening the perimeter of concern before it was later taken back.
The sheer unpredictability of the event has left the community on edge. As of the latest update, a massive joint operation is underway, with the FBI having officially joined the investigation. The search for the gunman or gunmen is the paramount concern as officials work around the clock.
Officials and Community React to the Tragedy
The senseless violence has drawn immediate reaction from the highest levels of local and national government. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s office quickly scheduled a briefing to provide further details to a terrified public. Even President Trump weighed in, confirming he had been briefed on the situation, underscoring the national significance of the tragedy hitting this major Ivy League institution.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee took to social media, confirming state officials were monitoring the situation and sharing a message that resonated with many Americans: “Praying for our community.”
Here at NY Buzz, we understand the deep concern across the country, especially in the wake of such a brazen attack on a center of learning. The fact that the shooting took place while multiple final exams were scheduled in the building, trapping unsuspecting students, adds another layer of heartbreak to an already catastrophic event.
The campus, a symbol of academic excellence, is now a crime scene. Support services have been rushed to the scene to aid those affected. The shock and sorrow will undoubtedly hang over Brown University for the foreseeable future.
The investigation remains active, and this is a developing story. The full scope of this tragic event will continue to unfold in the coming hours and days.
