Brown University Shooting: 2 Students Dead, 9 Injured — Manhunt Underway
A tragic mass shooting at Brown University killed two students and injured nine others during exams. Authorities are searching for the suspect as the campus remains on lockdown and the community mourns.
Devastating Mass Shooting at Brown University Leaves Two Students Dead, Nine Injured; Manhunt Underway
Providence, Rhode Island — A tragic mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, December 13, 2025 has left the Ivy League community in shock and mourning after two students were killed and nine others wounded in an active shooter incident on campus. Law enforcement is continuing a widespread search for the gunman, who remains at large, as authorities and university officials work to support victims and secure the area following the violence. (Wikipedia)
The shooting took place around 4:05 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Barus & Holley building, which houses Brown University’s School of Engineering and the Physics Department, during final examinations. The building was filled with students taking tests and attending scheduled classes when the suspect opened fire, officials reported. (Wikipedia)
According to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, at least two students were killed and nine others sustained gunshot wounds. Several of the injured are in critical but stable condition, while others are being treated at local hospitals for a range of injuries. (The National)
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the incident unfolded. Students and faculty in nearby buildings received active shooter alerts on their phones and were instructed to lock doors, silence phones, and shelter in place until law enforcement could secure the area. Hundreds of students hid in classrooms, labs, and dormitories for hours as police conducted a methodical search and escorted groups to safety. (The National)
“We are a week and a half away from Christmas,” Mayor Smiley said in a press briefing, reflecting on the emotional weight of the tragedy. “Two lives have been lost and many others have been hurt. The families of the victims have our sympathy and every resource at our disposal is being used to bring the perpetrator to justice.” (The National)
Massive Law Enforcement Response
The Providence Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other federal and state law enforcement agencies, launched an intensive city-wide manhunt for the shooter immediately after the attack. Authorities have not yet released a name or full description, but officials say the suspect is believed to be a male wearing dark clothing and possibly a mask. (Sky News)
Shortly after the shooting, a video clip of a person of interest was circulated by police showing an individual walking away from the scene. Investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help in identifying and locating the suspect. (Sky News)
Streets surrounding Brown University’s campus in College Hill were blocked off for hours, with emergency vehicles and heavily armed police officers forming barricades. Local businesses and residents were encouraged to remain indoors or avoid the area until authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order. (The National)
University in Mourning
Brown University President Christina Paxson addressed the community in a statement, calling the shooting a “nightmare scenario” and expressing deep sorrow for the victims and their families. She confirmed that most of the injured were students and that the university would provide counseling and support services to those affected. (The Guardian)
“We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that has taken the lives of two of our own and injured others,” Paxson said. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted — students, families, faculty, and first responders — as we navigate this difficult time together.” (The Guardian)
Classes and exams scheduled for Sunday and the upcoming week have been canceled as the campus community remains in shock and begins the long process of healing. University buildings were secured, and additional safety measures were put in place to protect students and staff in the aftermath of the shooting. (ABC News)
Students React to Chaos and Fear
Students who were on campus during the shooting described terrifying moments as gunfire echoed through the engineering building. One doctoral student recounted how he and other classmates hid under desks in a nearby lab for nearly two hours after receiving the alert. “We turned off the lights and hoped we could stay safe,” he said. “It was the longest wait of our lives.” (GBC Ghana Online)
Many students took to social media to share their horror and grief, urging others to stay safe and offering prayers for the victims. Some captured the rapid lockdown procedures as police guided them to secure areas and transported them out of buildings once the immediate threat had passed. (GBC Ghana Online)
Community and Political Response
Local leaders, including Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, condemned the violence and promised that “the shooter will be found and held accountable.” Several national figures also issued statements of support, with U.S. President Donald Trump describing the event as “terrible” and stating that federal resources were fully committed to assisting the investigation. (The National)
The shooting sparked renewed conversations about campus safety and gun violence in the United States. Brown University, like many other institutions, has grappled with enhancing security without compromising the open and collaborative environment that defines its academic community. (Wikipedia)
Broader Context of Gun Violence in the U.S.
Mass shootings — defined as incidents where four or more people are shot or killed — continue to plague communities across the United States, with 2025 recording hundreds of such events. The Brown University shooting is one of the deadliest campus attacks in recent years and further ignites debates on how best to prevent gun violence in public and educational spaces. (Wikipedia)
What Happens Next
As the search for the suspect continues, Rhode Island authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and combing through leads. Students and their families are being kept informed through emergency alerts and official university communications. Support services, including mental health counseling, have been mobilized to help those struggling with the emotional aftermath of the attack. (Sky News)
Brown University’s campus may remain on heightened alert for days, with many students and staff opting to stay with friends or family while authorities finalize the investigation. The event has left a deep imprint on the university and surrounding community — a reminder of the fragility of safety even within hallowed halls of learning. (The Guardian)
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Brown University, Brown University shooting, US university shooting, Providence Rhode Island, active shooter, campus violence, gunman at large, Barus & Holley, Ivy League news, US school shooting, education news, student deaths, mass shooting update.
