Brown University Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Nine Injured; Person of Interest in Custody
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On Saturday afternoon, a mass shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine others injured, shaking the Ivy League campus during its final exam period. Police confirmed that a person of interest is now in custody, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Brown University Shooting and Response
The attack unfolded inside the Barus and Holley building, a central hub for engineering and science classes. Students had gathered for final exam review sessions when gunfire erupted around 4 p.m. The building was quickly placed under lockdown as police swept through classrooms and escorted students to safety.
Authorities said the victims included undergraduate students, with several of the injured in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. Emergency crews worked late into the night to transport patients, while the university set up reunification centers for families and counseling services for those affected.
Police initially launched a manhunt for a suspect described as a man dressed in dark clothing who fled on foot. Surveillance footage later showed the individual wearing a camouflage mask as he left the building. By early Sunday, investigators confirmed that a person of interest in the shooting had been taken into custody in Coventry, Rhode Island. Officials have not released his identity or motive, but stressed that the inquiry is active and far from complete.
Security Concerns and Community Response
The shooting has raised urgent questions about campus security. Providence officials acknowledged that unlocked doors during exam sessions may have allowed the gunman easy access to the building. Brown University is located in the heart of Providence. It enrolls more than 10,000 students and faculty; its attack marks the first mass shooting at an Ivy League institution.
The incident has drawn national attention. The attention has renewed debate over safety measures at universities. Law enforcement expanded patrols in Providence and on campus while investigators review video evidence and conduct interviews. Authorities are focusing on whether the individual had links to Brown or carried out the attack alone.
Community leaders and state officials expressed grief and solidarity with the victims’ families. Vigils are being organized across Providence, with students and residents gathering to honor those killed and support those recovering.
Among those speaking out was Zoe Weissman, a Brown student and survivor of the Parkland school shooting almost eight years earlier. In an interview from her dorm room with ABC News, Weissman said she is “very angry — I think that I’m angry. I’ve had to go through this more than once — that my friends and classmates also have this experience in common with me.” Her statement pointed to the lasting impact of gun violence and the shared outrage among those forced to endure it repeatedly.
University President Christina Paxson said classes are suspended as the campus focuses on healing and safety. She also released a statement to Brown University on Dec. 14. Counseling services are being expanded, and security measures are under review.
As of Sunday afternoon, police confirmed that the person of interest remains in custody, but cautioned that the investigation is ongoing. Updates are expected in the coming days as authorities release more information about the suspect, the victims, and the circumstances of the attack.
