Police gather outside Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, as they investigate a Saturday afternoon shooting that left at least two people dead.
Mark Stockwell/AP/FR171920 AP
hide signature
switch signature
Mark Stockwell/AP/FR171920 AP
Two people are dead and eight are in critical but stable condition after a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday afternoon, officials said. The suspect remains at large.
Authorities are searching for a suspect described as “a man dressed in black,” Deputy Police Chief Timothy O'Hara said during an evening news conference.
The stay-at-home order remains in effect for the university and surrounding areas.
The shooting happened around 4 p.m. ET near the Barus and Holley building, which houses the Department of Engineering and Physics. Brown University Provost Francis Doyle said final exams were taking place in the building at the time of the shooting.
The suspect fled on foot, exiting through the building's doors on the Hope Street side, but it was unclear how he entered, O'Hara said.
Police are not aware of any sightings of the suspect since then, he added.
The two victims died at the scene, city fire chief Derek Silva said. Eight more wounded people are being treated at Rhode Island Hospital, about two miles from the university's campus.
“These are the only injuries or casualties that we are aware of at this time,” he said, adding that the death toll could change.
President Trump said Friday evening that he had been briefed on the shooting.
In this photo from video, law enforcement officials gather near the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Kimberly Kruesi/AP
hide signature
switch signature
Kimberly Kruesi/AP
“What a terrible thing this is,” the president told reporters in a brief statement. “All we can do now is pray for the victims.”
Asked about campus security, Provost Doyle said at a news conference that cards are used to gain access to the building, but there was probably a lot of traffic during exams, which he said was from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
“We are using every resource possible to find the suspect,” O'Hara said.
The university, police and FBI are coordinating an active investigation, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said.
“Unfortunately, today is the day that the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come,” Smiley told reporters.
City and university police are encouraging witnesses to come forward with any information related to the investigation.
Earlier in the day, there was confusion about whether the shooter was in custody. Brown officials and later media reports, as well as President Trump, initially said the suspect was in custody, but later said that was untrue.
“Bye [Brown University's department of public safety] At some point, he was advised that a person was in custody and after questioning, it was determined that the person was not a suspect in the shooting,” the university said Friday evening through its emergency alert system.
Authorities have not yet provided details about the identities of the victims or the suspect, if known. But Brown officials identified the two dead as members of the community and said they were working with local hospitals to identify other known victims.
He urged his students and faculty to remain vigilant and adhere to the current shelter-in-place order. “This means keeping all doors locked and preventing movement on campus,” the post said.
