Multiple people were shot on Dec 13 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, prompting a campus‑wide shelter‑in‑place order and a massive emergency response.
Incident overview
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley reported that two people were killed and eight others are critically injured. Police are still searching for the shooter, who has not been taken into custody.
Deputy police chief Timothy O’Hara described the suspect as a “male dressed in black” who exited the Barus and Holley engineering building on Hope Street. Authorities do not know how the suspect entered the building, what weapon was used, or have identified him, and they are seeking video footage to aid the manhunt.
Brown University police chief Rodney Chatman called the investigation “a very fluid situation” that continues to evolve. The university placed the campus on lockdown late afternoon after an alert warned of an active shooter near the engineering facility.
Response and communications
At about 4:15 p.m., the university instructed students and faculty to lock doors, silence phones, and hide until further notice. A second alert before 5 p.m. incorrectly stated a suspect was in custody; the university later corrected this and continued to urge shelter‑in‑place.
Providence police asked residents to avoid Hope Street because of a “heavy” emergency response, and dozens of ambulances were seen lining Thayer and Angell Streets that bisect the campus.
President Donald Trump said on social media that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the FBI was on the scene, offering a blessing to victims and families. Governor Dan McKee confirmed that state law‑enforcement and emergency‑management officials were also responding.
What is known about the victims?
A Providence police spokesperson confirmed multiple people were shot but did not specify exact numbers or conditions. City public‑information officer Kristy DosReis declined to detail injuries, reiterating that the investigation remains active.
Other outlets reported that as many as 20 individuals might have been injured, though Reuters has not verified those figures.
Potential next steps
Law‑enforcement agencies could continue to canvass the area for video evidence and eyewitness accounts to identify the shooter. University officials may maintain the shelter‑in‑place order until a clear threat assessment is completed, and could review lockdown protocols in light of the “fluid” investigative status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the suspect?
Police describe the suspect as a “male dressed in black” who left the Barus and Holley engineering building on Hope Street; no further details have been released.
How many people were harmed?
Mayor Brett Smiley said two people were killed and eight are critically injured. A police spokesperson confirmed multiple people were shot but did not give a precise count, and other reports have mentioned up to 20 injuries without verification.
What actions have authorities taken?
The campus was placed on lockdown, shelter‑in‑place orders were issued, and local police urged residents to avoid the area while a “heavy” emergency response remained in place. State officials, the FBI, and the university’s public‑safety department are involved in the ongoing investigation.
How do you think this incident will influence campus security policies moving forward?
