A chilling scene unfolded Saturday afternoon at Brown University, shattering the tranquility of the Ivy League campus. Two students were tragically killed, and nine others wounded in a mass shooting that has left the community reeling in shock and grief.
The gunfire erupted around 4 p.m. within a classroom in the Barus and Holley engineering building, a hub of activity as students prepared for and took final exams. Authorities swiftly responded, initiating a campus-wide lockdown and a shelter-in-place order that remained in effect throughout the night and into Sunday morning.
Police are urgently searching for a suspect – a man dressed in black, last seen fleeing the building on foot. Surveillance footage has been released, offering a glimpse of the individual as investigators work to piece together the events that led to this devastating act of violence.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed the heartbreaking reality: all those impacted by the shooting are students. “This is a day of tremendous sorrow,” she stated, expressing the unimaginable pain felt by parents and families. “No parent or family member should ever have to endure a day like this.”
Of the nine students transported to local hospitals, six remain in critical but stable condition, one is in critical condition, and another is stable. One student has been released, offering a small measure of relief amidst the overwhelming tragedy. The university is focused on providing support to the victims and their families, while respecting their privacy during this incredibly difficult time.
The building’s doors were unlocked due to the ongoing exam schedule, creating a vulnerability that authorities are now examining. More than 400 officers from local and federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, converged on the campus, demonstrating the scale of the response and the determination to apprehend the suspect.
Residents near the campus described a sense of disbelief and fear. The area, typically considered safe, is now grappling with the reality of violence striking so close to home. The shooting has shaken the heart of Providence, a city known for its connection to the university.
Final exams scheduled for Sunday have been canceled, and further updates regarding academic matters are expected. The focus remains firmly on the well-being of the Brown University community as they navigate this period of profound loss and uncertainty. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working tirelessly to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrator to justice.
The weight of this tragedy extends far beyond the campus, prompting expressions of sorrow and prayers from leaders and individuals across the nation. The community now faces the daunting task of healing and rebuilding in the wake of this senseless act of violence.
