Brown University Shooting: Manhunt Continues After Two Killed and Nine Injured

A manhunt remained under way late into Sunday after a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island left two people dead and nine others injured, sending one of America’s oldest universities into lockdown and triggering a massive police response across the city.

Authorities say the shooting unfolded on Saturday afternoon inside the Barus & Holley engineering building, where students were sitting exams, attending review sessions and preparing for the final days of the semester.

Within minutes, Brown University issued emergency alerts warning students and staff of an active shooter on campus. Hundreds of people barricaded themselves inside classrooms, laboratories and offices while heavily armed police officers searched the area.

More than 24 hours later, the suspected gunman had still not been identified publicly or arrested.

Police said the suspect fled on foot immediately after the shooting and may have left the campus area before officers arrived.

The attack has stunned the university community and reignited debate across the United States over campus safety, gun violence and the difficulty of preventing mass shootings in public places.

Shooting Began Inside Engineering Building

According to investigators, the first emergency calls came in shortly after 4:05 p.m. local time.

Witnesses reported hearing a series of loud bangs from inside the Barus & Holley building, which houses Brown’s engineering department.

At the time, many students were inside taking exams or working in laboratories.

Police believe the suspect entered the building through a side entrance before opening fire on people inside.

The exact sequence of events remains unclear.

Authorities have not yet said whether the victims were targeted or chosen at random.

Several students told local media that at first they believed the sounds were construction work or equipment falling.

Within seconds, however, panic spread through the building.

“I heard maybe six or seven shots,” one student said. “Then people started screaming and running. Everyone was trying to get behind desks or into side rooms.”

Another student said she and several classmates locked themselves inside a laboratory after receiving a phone alert from the university.

“We pushed tables against the door and turned off the lights,” she said. “We stayed there for almost two hours before the police told us it was safe to leave.”

Two Dead and Nine Injured

Police confirmed that two people were killed in the shooting.

Nine others were injured, several of them critically.

Most of the wounded were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, while others were treated at nearby medical centres.

Hospital officials said some of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries but were in stable condition by Sunday morning.

The names and ages of those killed have not yet been released.

Authorities said they are still notifying relatives and want to ensure that family members are informed before any identities are made public.

Brown University President Christina Paxson described the deaths as “a heartbreaking loss for our community”.

“This is a deeply devastating day for Brown University,” she said in a statement issued on Saturday evening. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone who has been affected by this terrible act of violence.”

She added that counselling and mental health services had been made available for students, faculty and staff.

Suspect Remains at Large

The gunman has not yet been identified.

Providence police described the suspect as a man wearing dark clothing and a face covering.

Investigators released surveillance images taken near the engineering building showing a person they believe may be responsible.

The footage appears to show a man in a black hooded sweatshirt, dark trousers and trainers running away from the area shortly after the shooting.

However, police warned that the images are not clear enough to confirm the suspect’s identity.

“We are asking anyone who recognises this person, or who saw anything suspicious in the area, to contact police immediately,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said during a Sunday press conference.

Authorities believe the suspect fled on foot through nearby streets before disappearing.

Investigators are now examining security camera footage from around the university and neighbouring parts of Providence.

They are also reviewing mobile phone videos, eyewitness statements and vehicle records in an effort to determine where the suspect went after leaving the scene.

The search has expanded well beyond the university campus.

Police officers, state troopers and federal agents continued to patrol parts of Providence through Sunday, while helicopters circled overhead and tactical units searched several buildings.

Federal Agencies Join Investigation

The investigation has become one of the largest law-enforcement operations in Rhode Island in recent years.

Providence police are being assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Federal agents are helping analyse surveillance footage, trace the weapon used in the shooting and identify possible motives.

Investigators have not yet released details about the firearm involved.

They also have not said whether the suspect had any connection to Brown University.

One of the main questions now facing investigators is whether the gunman was a student, a former student, someone known to the victims or an outsider who entered the campus without warning.

Officials have not ruled out any possibility.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the FBI said in a statement. “We are working with local and state partners to identify the individual responsible and bring that person into custody.”

Authorities urged residents in Providence to remain alert and report anything unusual.

Several neighbourhoods near the university remained under increased police presence overnight.

Campus Went Into Immediate Lockdown

As news of the shooting spread, Brown University activated its emergency alert system.

Students and staff received messages on their phones warning them of an active shooter and instructing them to shelter in place.

The university advised people to follow the “Run, Hide, Fight” guidance commonly used during active shooter situations.

Many students hid under desks, locked classroom doors and remained silent for long periods while police searched the building.

Videos shared online showed students huddled in dark rooms and whispering as sirens sounded outside.

Others described being trapped inside residence halls or libraries for several hours.

“I was in the library when the alert came through,” one student said. “Everyone froze. Then security started shouting for us to move away from the windows and stay low.”

Another student said he was walking across campus when he heard the first police sirens.

“Within minutes there were officers everywhere,” he said. “It felt unreal. People were running in every direction.”

Brown eventually extended the lockdown to much of the surrounding campus area.

Providence officials also issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby streets while the search for the suspect continued.

Families Waited for Information

As darkness fell on Saturday evening, hundreds of parents and relatives began trying to contact loved ones on campus.

Many described several anxious hours before receiving confirmation that family members were safe.

The university established a reunification centre away from the main campus where students and relatives could gather.

Counsellors, university staff and police officers were present to provide support and information.

By late Saturday night, long lines had formed outside the centre as worried parents arrived from across Rhode Island and neighbouring states.

“We drove here as fast as we could,” one parent said. “For hours we didn’t know where our daughter was. We just kept getting alerts saying to stay away from campus.”

University officials said they were doing everything possible to contact all affected families.

Brown also announced that exams scheduled for Sunday would be cancelled.

The university said additional decisions about classes and campus activities would be made in the coming days.

Political Leaders Condemn Shooting

The shooting prompted an immediate response from state and national leaders.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called the attack “unthinkable” and said the city would do everything possible to support victims and find the suspect.

“This violence has shaken our entire community,” he said. “We will not rest until the person responsible is found.”

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also issued a statement offering condolences.

“My heart breaks for the Brown University community and for the families whose lives have been forever changed today,” he said.

The governor said state resources would remain available for as long as necessary.

Messages of support also came from universities across the United States.

Several Ivy League institutions issued statements expressing solidarity with Brown and offering support to students affected by the tragedy.

Renewed Questions About Campus Safety

The shooting has once again raised questions about security on university campuses.

Brown University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States.

Located in the centre of Providence, the campus is largely open and integrated into the surrounding city.

That openness is often seen as part of the university’s identity.

However, some students and parents said the events of Saturday had left them wondering whether more security measures are needed.

Questions are likely to be asked about how the gunman entered the building and whether warning signs were missed.

Some students said they had never taken active-shooter training seriously until now.

“Everyone always thinks it won’t happen here,” one engineering student said. “Then suddenly it does.”

Gun violence on university campuses remains relatively rare compared with shootings in other public places.

But when such incidents do happen, they often have a profound effect because campuses are usually viewed as safe environments.

Experts say the psychological impact can last for years.

Students may struggle to return to classes, while staff and faculty may continue to experience anxiety and trauma long after the immediate danger has passed.

Community Holds Vigil

On Sunday evening, students and residents gathered near the edge of the Brown campus for a candlelight vigil.

Flowers, candles and handwritten messages were placed near the entrance to the engineering building.

Some students stood in silence. Others hugged and cried.

One sign read: “We are Brown. We stand together.”

University chaplains and local faith leaders led prayers for the victims and their families.

As the search for the suspect continued, many students said they were struggling to understand what had happened.

“This campus has always felt like home,” one student said through tears. “Now it feels different.”

For now, investigators remain focused on finding the person responsible.

Police urged anyone with information to come forward, saying even the smallest detail could prove critical.

Until the suspect is found, the sense of fear and uncertainty hanging over Brown University is unlikely to disappear.