An active shooter shattered finals week at Brown University today, resulting in two confirmed fatalities. Get the latest on the shelter-in-place order and the massive manhunt for the suspect in Providence, RI.
The Brown University campus, typically a hub of academic focus, was tragically shattered on Saturday, December 13, 2025, when an active shooter opened fire inside the Barus and Holley Engineering Building. The shooting, which occurred during the university’s final examination period, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of two community members and left at least eight others critically wounded.
The suspect, described only as a male dressed in black, remains at large, prompting a massive multi-agency manhunt and a sustained shelter-in-place order for the Providence, Rhode Island campus and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Ivy League institution and reignited the national debate on gun violence.
Timeline of Terror: Chaos Erupts During Final Exams
The shooting began shortly after 4:00 p.m. local time (EST) within the Barus and Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and physics department and was in use for final exams.
- 4:05 p.m. EST: The first 911 call was received, reporting shots fired.
- 4:22 p.m. EST: Brown University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued the initial BrownAlert to the campus community, warning of an active shooter near the Engineering building and urging students, faculty, and staff to immediately RUN, HIDE, or FIGHT, lock doors, and shelter in place.6
- Initial Confusion: Early in the crisis, confusion reigned as the university and, briefly, even public officials, issued incorrect updates. An initial alert stating a suspect was in custody was quickly retracted. A later report of a secondary shooting near Governor Street was also deemed unfounded, adding to the fear and uncertainty on campus.
- Confirmed Casualties: By the evening, Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed the devastating toll: two fatalities among the community and eight individuals hospitalized, most in critical but stable condition.
- Manhunt Underway: Law enforcement confirmed that the shooter, last seen exiting the building onto Hope Street, was still at large. The search for the gunman, described as a male in dark clothing, escalated with the involvement of the Providence Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, the FBI, and the ATF.
The Community Response: Shelter, Fear, and Resilience
The immediate response from the Brown community was one of fear and vigilance:
- Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place: Students and staff across campus barricaded doors, hid under desks in classrooms and libraries, and remained in lockdown for hours, following the critical instruction to keep all doors locked and ensure no movement across campus.
- Student Accounts: Students who were in the Barus and Holley building or nearby reported hearing loud, rapid shots. Many fled the area, leaving belongings behind, while others sheltered in place in nearby dorms, labs, and businesses like the Science Library and local taquerias.
- Support Services: The university mobilized its senior administrative leaders and emergency command staff to coordinate the ongoing response, establish support services, and work with local hospitals and law enforcement to manage the crisis and identify the victims.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley expressed the city’s profound grief, stating, “Sadly, today is a day the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come.” University officials stressed the deeply tragic nature of the event and urged the community to remain vigilant as the search continues.
The incident draws national attention to the ongoing challenges of campus security and gun control, with public figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, commenting on the tragedy and offering condolences.
The police investigation is ongoing. Authorities are actively reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, urging anyone with information to contact 911 immediately. The safety and well-being of the Brown community remain the paramount concern as the search for the suspect continues.
The Brown University DPS continues to urge all members of the community to remain sheltered in place until the lockdown is officially lifted by law enforcement. Support services and counseling resources are being coordinated.
