A massive manhunt is underway for a gunman who killed two people and wounded nine others during final exams at Brown University’s engineering building Saturday afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. The suspect, described as a male in dark clothing possibly wearing a camouflage mask, was last seen leaving the Barus & Holley building on foot.
Officers scattered across the Ivy League campus and into surrounding neighborhoods, searching academic buildings, backyards and porches for hours late into the night. A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for areas near the campus.
University President Christina Paxson said she was told that 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting, but it was not clear if the victim was a student.
Newsweek has reached out to Brown University, the Brown University Department of Public Safety, and the Providence Police Department via email on Saturday for comment.
The Context
Gun violence remains a primary public safety concern, especially after several high-profile shootings this year including the assassination of Democratic Minnesota House Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home; the shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church on the first day of school in Minneapolis that killed two children; the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah; and the shooting at a Michigan Mormon church.
Mass killings in the country dropped to their lowest level in two decades in 2025, but political violence and school shootings continue to prompt heavy debate over gun control.
What To Know
The shooting erupted Saturday afternoon at the seven-story Barus & Holley building, which houses Brown University’s School of Engineering and physics department. Engineering design exams were underway when the gunman opened fire in a first-floor classroom.
Timothy O’Hara, deputy chief of Providence police, said the suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building. Video from the building showed the suspect leaving, but his face was not visible. Some witnesses reported that the suspect, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask.
Investigators were not yet sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked, but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, according to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition, said Kelly Brennan, a spokesperson for the hospital. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse, and two were stable.
University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody before later saying that was not the case, creating confusion during the response when President Donald Trump announced the incorrect information on Truth Social. The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement.
Nearly five hours after the shooting, officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center.
What People Are Saying
Brown University’s most recent update at 11:06pm: “Law enforcement agencies have established a perimeter around a portion of Brown’s campus, as depicted on a map published at http://www.brown.edu (below). Individuals already in residential buildings within the perimeter should continue to shelter in place there. 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. All individuals inside administrative buildings within the perimeter should continue to shelter in place until law enforcement officers arrive. For all locations (inside and outside the perimeter), the shelter in place remains ongoing — unless escorted by a law enforcement officer, this means ensuring no movement across or near campus.”
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said during Saturday’s press conference: “Today is a day that the City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come. We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here. But this afternoon, at four o’clock in the afternoon, we received a call, four oh five was when the initial call came into Brown University of a report of an active shooter. I can confirm that there are two individuals who have died this afternoon, and there are another eight in critical status, those stable at Rhode Island Hospital. Those are the only injuries or casualties that we know at this time. But as I mentioned, and it’s important to remind folks, these numbers may change.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: “The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.”
FBI Director Kash Patel on X: “FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University and we will provide all capabilities necessary. Please pray for all those involved. We will update with more information as we are able.”
U.S. Secret Service on X: “We are saddened to learn of the senseless act of violence at Brown University. I’ve instructed our Secret Service personnel in Providence to provide any and all support needed. Prayers for the victims and all those impacted. – Director Curran.”
What Happens Next
Police continue searching the campus and surrounding neighborhoods for the suspect. The shelter-in-place order remains in effect and Governor McKee’s full state mobilization ensures maximum resources are dedicated to capturing the gunman.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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