Two people were killed and eight were injured in a shooting on Brown University's Providence campus Saturday evening. The suspect, described as a male dressed in black, remains at large and no weapon has been recovered. Conflicting alerts briefly suggested an arrest, but officials later said the person identified was not involved. Campus police and Providence officers are investigating; the shooter was reported near the Barus and Holley Engineering Building and the first call came in about 4:05 p.m. local time.
Chaos at Brown University: 2 Killed, 8 Wounded in Campus Shooting — Suspect At Large
Law enforcement officials carrying weapons gather near Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting | AP Photo/Steven Senne
Two people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting on Brown University's Providence campus Saturday evening, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said during a press briefing at about 6:40 p.m. ET.
What Happened
Officials say the suspect — described by law enforcement as a male wearing black — remained at large following the attack. Campus and Providence police responded to the scene after the first emergency call was placed at approximately 4:05 p.m. local time. Brown alerted students and staff through its campus text system, instructing them to lock doors, silence phones and shelter in place.
Campus Alerts and Safety Guidance
RUN: If you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can.
HIDE: If evacuation is not possible, take cover and remain quiet.
FIGHT: As a last resort, take action to protect yourself.
Brown's alert system reported the shooter was seen near the Barus and Holley Engineering Building. Authorities said they have not yet recovered a firearm and did not disclose the type of weapon used.
Confusion Over Reports Of An Arrest
The scene was complicated by conflicting notifications and media reports that a suspect was in custody. A campus alert initially suggested someone had been detained; the university quickly retracted that message. CNN briefly reported a suspect was held based on the earlier alert, and a post on Truth Social also said the FBI was on scene and the suspect was in custody before that, too, was contradicted. Mayor Smiley said authorities received "misinformation" and that an individual who was initially thought to be involved was later determined to have no involvement.
Response And Ongoing Investigation
Campus police and Providence officers remain on site as investigators work to establish a timeline, confirm victim identities and search for the suspect. Officials asked anyone with information or footage of the area around 4:05 p.m. to contact law enforcement. Further updates will be provided as authorities release more details.
Note: This is a developing story. Details may change as officials release new information.
