PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A massive manhunt is underway across Rhode Island after a lone gunman opened fire inside a Brown University engineering building on Saturday afternoon, killing two students and wounding nine others. The attack occurred during the second day of the Ivy League university’s final examination period, turning a high-pressure academic weekend into a scene of chaos and tragedy.
Video of person of interest in Brown shooting: pic.twitter.com/fjufQ3MTdC
— Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) December 14, 2025
The shooting began at approximately 4:05 p.m. EST inside Room 166 of the Barus and Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the physics department. According to witnesses and faculty, an introductory economics review session and engineering design exams were in progress when the suspect entered the first-floor classroom.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that two individuals died at the scene. Brown University President Christina Paxson later stated that all victims, including the deceased and the injured, were students. As of late Saturday night, Rhode Island Hospital reported that one student remains in critical condition, while six are in critical but stable condition. A ninth victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries from fragments but was not directly struck by gunfire.
The Suspect and Investigation
The suspect, described as a male in his 30s dressed in all black or dark grey camouflage, remains at large. Police released security footage late Saturday showing a hooded figure exiting the building on the Hope Street side and walking toward downtown Providence. Providence Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara noted that while the room required badge access, the outer doors of the building were unlocked to accommodate the ongoing exams.
More than 400 law enforcement officers from the Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, FBI, and ATF have saturated the College Hill neighborhood. A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the campus and surrounding areas as tactical teams conduct systematic sweeps of university buildings and nearby private residences.
Campus in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Ivy League community. “The unthinkable has happened,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “The Brown community’s heart is breaking.“
Students described a terrifying scene as the university’s emergency “RAVE” alert system urged them to “run, hide, or fight.” Many spent hours barricaded in libraries and dormitories. The investigation was briefly complicated by an initial, erroneous report from campus safety and social media posts from political figures suggesting a suspect was in custody; however, authorities quickly clarified that the person detained was not involved.
University officials have not yet announced changes to the remainder of the finals schedule, but all campus activities are suspended indefinitely as the search for the gunman continues.
Sources and Links
- Associated Press:Â Police search Brown University after shooter kills 2 and wounds 9
- The Washington Post:Â At least 2 dead, 9 injured in shooting at Brown University
- CBS News:Â Manhunt on for suspect in fatal Brown University shooting
- The Brown Daily Herald:Â Live updates: Two deceased in active shooter incident at Barus and Holley
- BBC News:Â Two dead and eight critically injured after shooting at Brown University
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