A mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on 13 December 2025 has left the Ivy League campus reeling, with two students killed and nine others wounded as authorities continue a high-priority search for the suspected gunman. The incident, which unfolded during final exam week, has shocked students, faculty and families nationwide as law enforcement works to piece together the sequence of events and bring the attacker to justice.
The scene: campus chaos during exams
The shooting occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m. EST inside a classroom in the Barus & Holley Building, a facility that houses Brown’s School of Engineering and physics department, where students were attending a final exam review session during the fall semester.
According to official reports and live updates from local news outlets, a suspect — described by police as a male dressed in dark or black clothing — entered Room 166 and began firing into the crowded space. Immediate chaos and panic ensued as students sought shelter, ran from the building, or sheltered under desks in nearby classrooms and common areas.
Within minutes, Brown University’s Department of Public Safety issued an active shooter alert, instructing all students and staff to shelter in place, lock doors and remain hidden until it was safe. Some reports showed law enforcement later rescuing terrified students from a campus library as shots echoed nearby.
Casualties and injuries
University and city officials have confirmed that two people were killed — both identified as Brown students — and nine others were wounded in the attack, with eight of the injuries described as gunshot wounds and one from fragments. The injured were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where multiple victims were reported to be in critical but stable condition.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Brown President Christina Paxson have repeatedly expressed profound sorrow for the victims and their families, calling the events “tragic” and devastating for the university community.
Manhunt and suspect status
In the immediate aftermath, a massive manhunt was launched involving more than 400 law enforcement personnel, including FBI and ATF agents, as officials searched the campus and surrounding Providence neighbourhoods.
Early reports of a suspect in custody were later corrected by police, who clarified no arrest had been made as of Saturday evening. Surveillance footage of a person of interest — believed to be the shooter — was released, showing a male possibly in his 30s, clad in dark clothes and possibly wearing a mask, leaving the scene on foot via Hope Street.
As of the latest updates, authorities are urging residents and students to remain vigilant and continue to follow official safety orders. Some reports suggest a person of interest was taken into custody and then released after being cleared, and the search for the actual suspect continues.
Timeline and campus lockdown
The campus was placed on shelter-in-place and lockdown orders immediately after authorities received the initial 911 call about the active shooter situation, with students told to lock doors and avoid communal areas.
Brown University’s alert system triggered a series of rapid updates — initially reporting shots fired near the Barus & Holley building and later clarifying that reports of a second shooting in the vicinity were unfounded.
Law enforcement conducted systematic searches of academic buildings, dormitories and streets surrounding the university late into the night, prioritising both the safety of students and the apprehension of the suspect.
Emotional toll and survivor accounts
For students caught up in the violence, the experience was harrowing. Some described hearing multiple loud noises — believed to be gunshots — and plunging into fear as they huddled in hiding places or were rescued by SWAT teams. Videos circulating online showed students visibly shaken as they were escorted to safety by police.
Many of those present on campus were attending final exams or review sessions for end-of-semester assessments, underscoring the random and unpredictable timing of the attack. The tragedy has prompted comparisons to previous school shootings in the U.S., with survivors reflecting on the chilling recurrence of such events.
Official reactions and broader context
Local, state and national leaders have condemned the attack, with statements emphasising both support for the victims and the urgent need to find the assailant. Rhode Island’s governor emphasised that “the unthinkable has happened,” while national leaders have called for prayers and unity during the crisis.
The shooting at Brown University is one of the rare mass shooting incidents to occur on an Ivy League campus, and has added to ongoing national debates in the United States about gun violence, campus safety and preventative measures in educational settings.
What remains unknown
At this stage, key facts remain unknown or unconfirmed, including:
- The identity and motive of the shooter.
- Whether the attack was targeted against specific individuals or groups.
- How the suspect obtained the weapon and entered the building.
- Whether additional suspects were involved.
Law enforcement agencies have appealed to the public for video footage and tips that might aid the investigation, and have emphasised that the situation, while stabilising, remains active as authorities continue their search.
Community response and support
In response to the tragedy, Brown University has mobilised counselling services, vigils, and community support networks to assist students, faculty and families. Local churches, civic groups and neighbouring institutions have also offered support and solidarity in the wake of the violence.
Providence residents and those affiliated with the university continue to grapple with the emotional aftermath as the broader investigation unfolds. The university has pledged to provide updates as more information becomes available and to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of its community.
A tragic day in American campus history
The Brown University shooting stands as a stark reminder of the lasting issue of gun violence on educational campuses in the United States, even within prestigious institutions that many assume to be safe havens. As investigations continue and the search for the suspect persists, survivors, families and officials alike face the pain, uncertainty and resolve that often follow such events — and the pressing questions about how to prevent them in the future.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
