Two students killed and nine others injured after gunfire erupts inside an engineering classroom, prompting a campus-wide shelter order and urgent search for a suspect.
At least two students were killed and nine others wounded after a mass shooting erupted on the afternoon of Saturday December 13, 2025, at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, sending shockwaves through the Ivy League campus and triggering a large-scale manhunt.
University officials said the shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. inside a classroom at the Barus and Holley engineering building on Hope Street, a central academic corridor near the heart of campus. Emergency responders rushed victims to nearby hospitals as police sealed off surrounding streets.
Providence Police Deputy Chief Tim O’Hara said authorities are searching for a male suspect dressed in black who was last seen fleeing the building on foot. Late Saturday, Police released surveillance footage on X showing a person matching the suspect’s description walking near the campus perimeter. Investigators urged the public to report any information that could assist in locating the individual.
No weapon was recovered at the scene, officials said, adding to uncertainty about the suspect’s movements and whether the individual remains armed.
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Brown University issued an immediate shelter-in-place order that remained in effect into the evening, urging students, faculty, and residents in nearby neighborhoods to stay indoors, lock doors, and avoid windows. Classes and campus activities were suspended as law enforcement continued to sweep academic buildings and residence halls.
“This is an active and deeply disturbing situation,” the university said in a statement, expressing condolences to the victims and their families. Counseling and emergency support services were mobilized for students and staff.
Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley said the city is coordinating closely with state and federal authorities to support the investigation and ensure public safety. “Our hearts are with the victims and the Brown University community,” Smiley said. “We are committing every available resource to bring clarity and accountability as quickly as possible.”
The shooting adds to ongoing concerns about gun violence on U.S. college campuses, where classrooms are typically viewed as secure environments. While mass shootings at universities remain relatively rare, such incidents often reignite national debate over campus security, firearm access, and emergency preparedness.
Rhode Island State Police and Federal Agents were seen assisting local officers as the search continued late Saturday. Authorities have not released information about a possible motive or whether the victims were targeted.
Officials said updates will be provided as the investigation develops, urging the public to rely on verified law enforcement communications and avoid spreading unconfirmed information.