UPDATE: A tragic shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has left at least 2 people dead and 8 others critically injured today, October 14, 2023. Campus officials confirmed the alarming incident unfolds as students were taking final exams between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Authorities reported an active shooter situation, prompting urgent alerts for students to shelter in place. The suspected shooter, a male dressed in black, remains at large, with law enforcement urging the public to avoid the area. Providence Deputy Chief of Police Tim O’Hara stated, “We’re utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect.”
In a statement from the White House, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, saying, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims. It’s a terrible thing.” Trump had been previously briefed on the situation as he returned from the Army-Navy football game.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as emergency responders rushed to the campus, with reports of over a dozen vehicles arriving. One student, Chiangheng Chien, recounted how he and his classmates locked themselves away for two hours, fearing for their lives. “We shut off the lights, closed the doors, and hid under our desks,” he told local news.
Police have confirmed that there was no interaction between the suspect and law enforcement, who reported that he fled the scene on foot. The investigation continues with federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisting local authorities to determine the full scope of the tragedy.
The shooting occurred at the Barus and Holley building, which houses classrooms and laboratories for the university’s engineering and physics departments. Mayor Brett Smiley has stated that there is currently no shooter in custody, and officials are closely coordinating to locate the suspect.
As the investigation unfolds, the university community is urged to remain vigilant. An earlier report of a secondary shooting nearby has been dismissed. The campus alerts continued to advise students to shelter in place as a precaution.
Law enforcement sources reported that the victims have been transported to local hospitals, with their conditions still being evaluated. The urgency of the situation has led to heightened security measures across the campus, with students and staff advised to remain cautious.
This developing situation is being monitored closely by local law enforcement and university officials, with updates expected as the investigation continues. Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the area and to follow directions from law enforcement.
Stay tuned for live updates on this tragic event as more information becomes available.
