URGENT UPDATE: A tragic shooting incident at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has left two people dead and eight others hospitalized in critical condition. The shooter remains at large as police continue their search, raising alarm across the campus and the surrounding community.
Authorities confirmed the shooting occurred on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with the first alert sent out at 4:22 PM ET, warning of an active shooter. The university urged students to “lock doors, silence phones, and stay hidden until further notice.” A subsequent update at 5:11 PM ET advised students to shelter in place as police initiated a manhunt for the suspect.
Governor Dan McKee expressed his shock, stating, “The unthinkable has happened.” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the fatalities and the critical condition of the injured. As of 7 PM ET, no suspect was in custody, and a shelter-in-place order remained in effect.
Police reported that the suspect is a male dressed in black, with initial sightings concentrated around the Barus & Holley Engineering building, where the shooting reportedly began during final exams. Despite thorough searches of the area, the gunman has not yet been apprehended.
“We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of two deceased victims from the active shooting situation at the Barus & Holley engineering building,” Brown University stated in its update. “There are eight additional victims in critical but stable condition at the hospital.”
The FBI is on site, assisting local law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. An earlier statement by former President Donald Trump incorrectly suggested a suspect had been arrested, a claim that was later retracted by Brown University police.
Students and faculty are being urged to remain vigilant and avoid the area as law enforcement works to identify the victims and secure the campus. “The safety of our community is foremost,” the university emphasized, encouraging individuals who were present during the incident to reach out to police.
This developing situation has drawn deep concern from the community, with both local and national leaders calling for increased safety measures and support for the victims’ families. As details continue to unfold, the community is left grappling with the implications of this shocking event.
Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking story as authorities work diligently to resolve the situation and locate the shooter.