A mass shooting on the campus of Brown University on Saturday afternoon has left at least two people dead and numerous others injured, authorities confirmed, as law enforcement continues an active search for a suspect.
Shortly after 4:00 p.m. EST on December 13, 2025, shots were fired inside the Barus & Holley Engineering Building, a central academic facility on the Brown University campus in Providence, during the university’s final examination period.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that two individuals were fatally shot and that authorities are treating the event as a mass casualty incident. At least eight people are in critical but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital, with additional reports suggesting the number of injured may be higher.
Emergency personnel from multiple Rhode Island municipalities responded to the scene to assist with medical evacuations and secure the area.
Mayor Smiley indicated that the confirmed injured are being treated at Rhode Island Hospital, with eight reported in critical yet stable condition. Local emergency communications suggest that the total number of injured could be as many as 20 people, though official figures on all injuries have not yet been finalized.
Law enforcement has not yet apprehended a suspect. Early in the response, university alerts mistakenly reported that a person was in custody, but officials later clarified that no shooter is in custody and the search is ongoing. The suspect has been described by police as a male dressed in black, last seen leaving the Barus & Holley building.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity as the investigation continues. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local law enforcement at the scene.
The university issued multiple alerts via its emergency notification system, instructing students and staff to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT”, lock doors, silence phones, and shelter in place as the situation unfolded. Shelters and lockdowns were reported across campus as police cleared buildings.
A Brown University student, identified only as Noah, described the chaos unfolding on nearby Thayer Street, where he and others sought refuge in a restaurant before being told to evacuate as the shooting continued. “We didn’t know where it was safe,” he said, recounting the fear and confusion felt by many. “It’s terrible. You hear about shootings around the country and you dread the day it could happen at your school.” (Source: @wpri12; quoted by user)
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University officials and local leaders expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, with calls for prayers and support for the victims, their families, and the wider Brown community. The incident comes amid ongoing national concern about gun violence on college campuses.
Providence Police, Brown University Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and other agencies remain on scene. A shelter-in-place for parts of the campus and surrounding area has been implemented while investigators collect evidence and canvass surveillance footage to identify and locate the suspect.
This remains a developing story — further updates are expected as authorities release more information.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Brown University community during this devastating time.
