USA TODAY National
A gunman killed two students and seriously wounded at least nine other people Dec. 13 in a mass shooting at Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island, according to the city's mayor.
The shooting at the Ivy League University happened shortly before 4:05 p.m. in an engineering building with unlocked doors as final exams were underway. "Based on what we heard from officials at Brown, anybody could have accessed the building at that time," Mayor Brett Smiley said.
"Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come," Smiley said. "We've heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here."
The gunman remained at large late Saturday night. Police said the campus and parts of the surrounding area remained on lockdown as of 11:45 p.m. ET, more than seven hours later.
Brown University President Christina Paxson said the two people who died are students, as are at least eight of the nine injured. Paxson said authorities have been in touch with the families of the deceased students and that she would be talking to them soon.
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee pledged in a late-evening press conference that the gunman would be captured.
“We’re going to make sure we catch the individual that brought so much suffering to so many people,” McKee told reporters.
Police released a video of the suspect as he left the scene after the shooting:
USA TODAY, along with the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), defines a mass shooting as an incident in which a minimum of four or more people are shot and are injured or killed, not including the shooter, within a single event.
Smiley said eight people are in critical, yet stable, conditions at Rhode Island Hospital. He advised that the numbers may change as authorities are "still in early hours." The Brown campus is part of the surrounding community and the shooting has reverberations beyond the student body. "Residents from the neighborhood regularly walk their dogs through the campus," Smiley said. It’s not a walled off, gated campus in any way."
"It’s very important that we be honest and transparent with all of you and with parents and loved ones who are concerned," he said. "They’ve got students who are away at school or they have someone who works at Brown. We’re not done yet. And so while we have no other victims at this time that we’re aware of, it is possible."
Follow along for live updates:
Shooting happened during final economics exam, professor says
The shooting happened during a review session led by a teaching assistant for the final exam in a Principles of Economics course taught by Rachel Friedberg, Friedberg told Ocean State Media, the Rhode Island PBS affiliate.
Friedberg wasn’t present, but learned about what happened from the teaching assistant, the NPR station reported.
The room where the session was taking place has stadium seating with doors that enter at the top. The shooter came in those doors, yelled something and then started shooting, Friedberg told NPR. The teaching assistant couldn’t remember what the shooter yelled, she said.
“Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot,” Friedberg said. “I don’t know if they’re the only ones who got shot or not.”
The professor visited Rhode Island Hospital on Saturday night and spoke with her teaching assistant, who was there to support several of their injured students, but she had not yet learned the names of the two students who were killed, NPR reported.
“I don’t know if they were my students. It’s really surreal to think about,” she told NPR. “Just horrible.”
- Dinah Voyles Pulver
Shelter in place still in effect 8+ hours later
Law enforcement established a perimeter around a portion of the Brown campus, but the shelter in place remains ongoing for all locations inside and outside the perimeter, unless escorted by a law enforcement officer, the university posted in an 11:06 p.m. update.
The order was extended into the early morning hours on Sunday.
Any people already in residential buildings inside the perimeter should continue to shelter in place, the university said.
“Police will enter all administrative (non-residential) buildings within the perimeter marked by the red boxes on the map to escort all individuals to safe locations outside of the perimeter,” it stated. “All individuals inside administrative buildings within the perimeter should continue to shelter in place until law enforcement officers arrive.”
The order has been important for the investigation, said Smiley, Providence's mayor. It has “has allowed authorities to canvas the neighborhood, look for evidence, assess if there are additional cameras that may yield video evidence, and do a visual search to help provide and ensure a sense of safety for our community."
The mayor emphasized that officials do not believe there’s any reason to cancel planned events on Sunday.“It’s a personal choice whether you want to cancel your holiday party but we do not feel it is necessary,” Smiley said. “We’ve received no additional credible information that there is any specific ongoing threat from this individual, so we do not believe these events need to be canceled. We do believe you can safely go to church in the morning.”
- Dinah Voyles Pulver
Providence police use Real Time Crime Center to search for suspect
Providence police are using the newly built $1 million RealTimeCrime Center to help locate the Brown University shooter.
The center's nerve center is physically located at police headquarters. With access to a network of video surveillance cameras, license-plate reading camera devices and the drone's video feed, its presence in certain police operations is "virtual," according to police Sgt. Jonathan Primiano.
There, police use a digital map that tells them where officers are patrolling and where the particular cameras in the center's network are positioned.
Some of the cameras are on city property, but most of the networked cameras are privately owned by businesses or homeowners who have agreed to grant access to police, police say.
The center allows police to analyze video and other data, develop leads and then provide the most crucial information, at lightning speed, to detectives and officers who can put it to use on the street.
As of August, the center had access to 150 privately owned cameras, many of them downtown, and the city has ratcheted up its outreach to the public in an effort to seek access to even more cameras.
- Whitman Littlefield
Boston Red Sox: 'Sending our love to Brown'
The Boston Red Sox posted a statement on X at 8:06 p.m. on the tragic shooting at Brown University:
"Our Red Sox family is thinking of everyone at Brown University tonight.
"This act of violence has shaken a cherished part of our New England community. We're with the students, the faculty, their loved ones, and all who are feeling the weight of tonight."
- Providence Journal Staff
Rhode Island Hospital gives status update on victims
Rhode Island Hospital, which is owned by Brown University Health, sent an update on the status of the eight shooting victims that were transported to the hospital.
The release said that Rhode Island Hospital currently has eight patients:
- Six patients critical but stable condition
- One patient is in critical condition
- One patient is in stable condition
Rhode Island Hospital is on lockdown, but is accepting patients in the emergency department. The Miriam Hospital did not receive any patients.
- Eryn Dion
Buffalo Bills remain inside Providence hotel amid search for gunman
The Buffalo Bills are in Providence as they are scheduled to play the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday in a game that could decide the AFC East.
According to a report from The Athletic, "the Patriots and Bills have been in communication since news of the shooting first arose" and the Bills, who are staying at a downtown hotel about a mile from campus, are remaining inside their hotel after a gunman shot 10 people on Saturday afternoon, leaving two dead and several others injured.
More than 400 officers are in Providence to help with the investigation as the shooter is still not in police custody, according to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. As of 10 p.m., the shelter in place order is still in place in Providence.
Brown University's Department of Public Safety sent a campus-wide alert at 4:22 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, urging students and staff to run, hide and fight (as a last resort) due to the presence of an "active shooter."
The Patriots posted a statement on social media at 7:09 p.m. saying the team is "heartbroken by the horrific events at Brown University" and expressed their "deepest sympathies to those affected and their families."
Brown issues alert reminding people to stay in place
Brown University issued another alert at 8:28 p.m., reminding people that the campus remains in lockdown, and "it is imperative that all members of our community remain sheltered in place."
"This means keeping all doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus. The law enforcement response remains ongoing. Safety is the utmost and essential priority."
- Will Richmond
'This is a deeply tragic day for Brown," university's president says
In a statement, Brown University President Christina Paxson said, "This is a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community."
"There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building," Paxson stated.
After further confirming the two deaths and at least eight additional victims injured in the shooting, Paxson said, "Our hearts are with their families." With the situation still active, she urged "all members of our community to remain vigilant" and "shelter in place" despite this being a "source of tremendous fear and anxiety."
"We know our community wants answers, and we will provide them as soon as we can. For now, please know we are doing all we can to keep our community safe and have mobilized support for the students and their families," she said.
According to Paxson, law enforcement is actively working to identify the victims who were killed, and the school is working with local hospitals to identify those who were injured. Meanwhile, she asked all students, faculty and staff to remain in touch directly with their families to let them know they are safe.
"This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. It is deeply devastating for all of us. We are grateful to law enforcement for their immediate response and their ongoing work to ensure the safety of our community. Please continue to take all steps to be safe," Paxson said.
Brown University: An Ivy League University that is part of the fabric of Providence, Rhode Island
Brown University is in one of the oldest areas of Providence and is integrated into the city.
While the school is set up like a typical university with a campus quad and surrounding buildings, it is also the center of the College Hill neighborhood on the East side of the city. Thayer Street and Benefit Street, two of the most well-known thoroughfares in Providence, run right through the campus.
The school is near many businesses and shops, and is very close to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) another one of the city's premier colleges.
The shooting at Barus and Holley Engineering building is located at 184 Hope St. In addition to Brown University buildings, Hope Street has residential buildings, restaurants and businesses.
- Katie Landeck in Providence
Trump: 'All we can do right now is pray for the victims'
As President Donald Trump exited Air Force One on Saturday night, Dec. 13, after returning from attending the Army vs. Navy college football game, he spoke about the shooting.
"What a terrible thing it is!" the president said. "And all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt, it looks like."
He went on to call the situation "a shame," and said, "We'll inform you later as to what's happening."
One day before 13th anniversary of Sandy Hook mass shooting
On Dec. 14, 2012, 26 people were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, including 20 children and six educators.
Vigils to mark the 13th anniversary took place this week, including the National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence in Washington, D.C.
Throughout Connecticut on Sunday, Dec. 14, U.S. and state flags will be lowered to half staff from sunrise to sunset at the direction of Gov. Ned Lamont.
“This tragedy thirteen years ago is one of the worst to ever occur in Connecticut, and our hearts will forever be with the twenty innocent children who were taken all too soon and the six devoted educators who lost their lives protecting the students they heroically guarded,” Lamont stated on Friday, Dec. 12.
How did the suspect possibly enter the engineering building?
During the news conference, Frank Doyle, a professor of engineering and the 14th provost of Brown University, said that after hours, most of the school's buildings can be entered by a card swipe, and "since there was a final exam, there probably was a lot of traffic."
Police said they have not determined how the suspect may have entered the Barus & Holley Engineering building, and it is unclear if the shooting occurred while exams were happening.
The suspect exited through the doors located at the Hope Street side of the building, according to police.
- Dinah Voyles Pulver
'I told them all that I loved them and would call them once the lockdown lifts'
Jack DiPrimio, a 23-year-old student in the university's Master of Public Affairs program, said he was in an academic building listening to music and applying for jobs on his laptop when he received an alert text message to take cover.
He said he left several valuable items behind and ran outside to see several students sprinting away from the engineering building.
DiPrimio said he barricaded himself in a dorm room and messaged his family members.
"I told them all that I loved them and would call them once the lockdown lifts," DiPrimio said via text message interview.
Sitting inside the dorm room, DiPrimio said he has been keeping himself occupied by scrolling on social media, just trying to make some sense of Saturday evening's events.
"I've been glued to my phone almost as a distraction but obsessively refreshing Twitter, messaging people, looking at university chats and messaging boards," he said. "All texting – I'm too afraid to speak."
Bailey Allen, Hyannis
An active investigation
Providence police said in an X post at 5:33 p.m. ET that multiple people were shot in the area of Brown University on Saturday, Dec. 13, and that this is an active investigation. Police also advised residents and the students to "shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice."
According to police, the suspect is a male dressed in black who was seen exiting onto Hope Street, near the university. Also, no weapons have been recovered, police added.
Brown University said in a statement at 6:05 p.m. ET that it alerted its campus at 4:22 p.m. ET of an active shooter incident near Barus & Holley Engineering. The school confirmed reports of "multiple shooting victims," but said it's unable to share their condition. The victims have been taken to local hospitals, according to the statement.
The school is continuing to advise residents and students to shelter in place by locking doors, silencing phones and staying hidden until further notice, as "this remains an active crime scene, and law enforcement continues to search for the suspect."
"Our first priority is the safety of our community and coordinating closely with local law enforcement and medical personnel to ensure their safety," the school said. "We are working immediately to determine who was in the building at the time of the shooting. We had multiple exams scheduled in that building from 2 pm to 5 pm. We can confirm that support services are on site."
Trump, in a Truth Social post, said he's been briefed on the shooting and that "the FBI is on the scene."
"God bless the victims and the families of the victims!" the president said.
Brown University issues multiple alerts amid heavy police presence
Throughout Saturday afternoon, Brown University issued multiple alerts regarding the ongoing active shooter situation.
Earlier, the university, in a third alert, clarified that "police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s)." The alert came moments after the school posted its second alert, saying, "one suspect in custody."
"Continue to shelter in place. Remain away from Barus & Holley area," the school's third alert continued. "Brown coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies on site. Emergency medical on scene."
Smiley spoke about the alert mishap at the new conference, explaining that someone was interrogated and "preliminarily thought to be involved," but was later determined to have no involvement.
A fourth alert was also issued, saying, "Report of shots fired near Governor street. Continue to shelter in place. Stay clear. Law enforcement responding." In a later alert, the school said, "The earlier report of a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street is unfounded."
The school's first two alerts advised residents and students to "lock doors, silence phones and stay stay hidden until further notice."
"Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself," the previous alerts said.
The City of Providence and Providence police said in social media posts around 4:50 p.m. ET that there's currently a heavy law enforcement and fire department presence on Hope Street near the university.
"Please exercise caution and avoid this area until further notice," the posts read.
Where is Brown University?
Brown University, an Ivy League school, is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and has 11,005 enrolled students, according to the school's "Brown by the Numbers" page.
It is the oldest college in the state, founded in 1764 and the seventh-oldest college in the country.
Lawmakers monitoring the shooting at Brown University
Congressman Gabe Amo, who represents Rhode Island's First Congressional District, said in an X post that he is "monitoring the shooting at Brown University and in touch with law enforcement."
"If you are in danger call 911," his post continues. "If you are in the area please stay inside and allow law enforcement to do their work."
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee spoke at the news conference and said, "We're going to bring our resources to the table."
"Our thoughts go out to those who have been impacted by this in any way," McKee said.
This is a developing story.
The FBI established a website to collect tips and information about the shooting at fbi.gov/brownuniversityshooting.
The Providence Police opened a tipline for the shooting at 401-652-5767.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 students dead, 9 people injured in mass shooting at Brown University: Live
Reporting by Jonathan Limehouse, Bailey Allen, Katie Landeck, Will Richmond and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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