PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A gunman opened fire inside a classroom at Brown University, Ivy League institution, on Saturday afternoon, killing two students and injuring nine others during a period when final exams were underway, authorities said. A person of interest was taken into custody early Sunday, and officials stated they were no longer seeking additional suspects.
The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. in the Barus and Holley building, which houses the university’s engineering and physics departments. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the incident took place during a review session for a Principles of Economics class on the first floor.
All 11 victims were students, Brown University President Christina H. Paxson confirmed in a statement.
“This is a day that no university community is ever prepared for,” Paxson said. “It is deeply devastating for all of us.”
Seven of the injured were in stable condition, one was in critical but stable condition, and one had been discharged, according to updates from Smiley and Providence police. An additional victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries from fragments.
Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez announced the detention of the person of interest early Sunday, following heavy police activity overnight, including at a local hotel. Officials described the suspect as a male dressed in dark clothing who fled the scene on foot after the attack.
The campus was placed under a shelter-in-place order for hours on Saturday, with hundreds of law enforcement officers, including FBI and ATF agents, searching the area. The order was lifted early Sunday, though some sections remained restricted as crime scenes.
The attack interrupted final exam week prompting the cancellation of scheduled exams on Sunday. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee described the event as an “unthinkable tragedy” and pledged state resources to support the investigation and affected families.
Our capital city experienced an unthinkable tragedy today. Our hearts are with the people of Providence and all those impacted.
A shelter in place remains in effect for the greater @BrownUniversity area. We’re making every resource available as an active investigation continues.
Author: Mario Lotmore
