Two Killed, Eight Critically Injured in Shooting at Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island: At least two people were killed and eight others critically injured after a gunman opened fire inside Brown University’s engineering and physics complex early Sunday, prompting an immediate campus-wide lockdown and a massive law enforcement response.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that the eight injured victims were in “critical but stable” condition. Authorities ordered students and staff across the Ivy League campus to shelter in place as the suspect fled the scene.

The shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley building, where multiple examinations were reportedly underway at the time. Brown University issued an emergency alert at 4:22 p.m., warning of an “active shooter” and instructing those on campus to lock doors, silence mobile phones, and remain hidden.

Local media reported scenes of chaos, with clothing and blood visible on sidewalks as city police, federal agents, and emergency responders converged on the area. US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and confirmed that federal agencies were involved. “The FBI is on the scene. The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims,” Trump said earlier, later describing the shooting as “a terrible thing” and urging prayers for those affected.

FBI Director Kash Patel said federal personnel were fully engaged at the site. In a post on X, he stated that FBI teams were assisting local authorities and providing all necessary capabilities, adding that further updates would be shared as information became available. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also deployed.

Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara said the suspect—described as a man dressed entirely in black—was last seen leaving the building, and that no weapon had yet been recovered. “We’re utilising every resource possible to find this suspect,” O’Hara said, stressing that the shelter-in-place order remained in effect and should be taken seriously.

Students described moments of fear and confusion as gunfire echoed through the campus. Katie Sun told the Brown Daily Herald that she was studying in a nearby building when she heard the shots and fled back to her dorm, leaving her belongings behind. “It was honestly quite terrifying. The shots seemed like they were coming from where the classrooms are,” she said.

Brown University, located in Providence, enrolls approximately 11,000 students. The incident adds to a growing list of shootings on US college campuses, underscoring the persistent challenges surrounding gun violence amid ongoing political deadlock over firearm regulation.