 "Emergency personnel gather on Waterman Street at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday during the investigation of a shooting. AP")
At least 2 people were killed, and eight more were critically injured after a tragic shooting incident broke out at Brown University on Saturday. Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence, Rhode Island, confirmed the casualties shortly after an active shooter was reported on the campus. The matter remains concerning since the suspect is still at large.
The shooting incident occurred when exams were underway on Saturday. The Rohde Island officials described the suspect as a man dressed in black who left the scene on foot. While speaking at the news conference, Smiley said that university leaders became aware of the shooting around 4:05 pm (local time) and called 911.
“I can confirm that there are two individuals who have died this afternoon, and there are another eight in critical status, though stable, at Rhode Island Hospital,” Smiley told the reporters. “Those are the only injuries or casualties that we know at this time,” he added. “ But as I mentioned — and it’s important to remind folks — these numbers may change. We are still in the early hours," he added.
Shooter still at large
At around 4:22 pm (local time), the Ivy League university went on to issue an emergency update, warning the students that there was a gunman near the Barus and Holley engineering lab. “Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice,” the university said in its update.
“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.” Later at 5:27 pm (local time), the school reported that shots were fired near Governor Street, approximately two blocks away.
Amid the chaos, the Providence Police Department announced a few minutes later, “Multiple shots in the area of Brown University.” Confusion also spread after the university withdrew an announcement that indicated a suspect had been taken into custody. It clarified, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).”
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View AllMeanwhile, US President Donald Trump also pushed a similar retraction on his online platform Truth Social, after erroneously posting around 5:44 pm (local time), which mentioned that the suspect was in custody.
“I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island,” Trump also wrote. “The FBI is on the scene.” Law enforcement officials are currently on the site of the incident, and the matter is currently being investigated.
It is pertinent to note that the Saturday shooting is the second major incident of gun violence on a university campus this week. On December 9, a shooting incident also broke out at Kentucky State University in the southern city of Frankfort, killing one student and leaving a second critically injured.
The suspect in the case was identified as Jacob Lee Bard, the parent of a student at the school. Over the years, several schools across the United States have experienced such tragic shootings. For 2025, CNN estimates that there have been 73 school shootings in the US as of December 9. Hence, the need for gun laws now becomes more important than ever before.