President Trump offered condolences at a White House reception after a mass shooting at Brown University left two people dead and nine injured. Providence police said a person of interest in their 20s has been detained, though few details are available. The attack pushed the U.S. mass-shooting tally to at least 389 this year and renewed calls for federal gun-policy action. Lawmakers and officials warned of lasting community trauma while other national stories reported NLRB quorum problems and layoffs of journalists of color.
Trump Pays Tribute to Brown University Shooting Victims as Calls for Stronger Gun Controls Grow
Flowers rest in front of the Barus and Holley engineering building at Brown University where two people were killed and nine injured.Photograph: Taylor Coester/Reuters
President Donald Trump on Sunday offered condolences to victims of a mass shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine wounded, speaking to guests at a White House holiday reception.
“Before we begin, I want to just pay my respects to the people — unfortunately two are no longer with us, Brown University, nine injured — and two are looking down on us right now from Heaven,” the president said. He also praised the Ivy League campus, calling Brown “a great school, really one of the greatest schools anywhere in the world.”
Shooting, Investigation and Local Response
The Saturday attack raised the number of mass shootings recorded in the United States this year to at least 389, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Providence police said a person of interest has been detained; Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez told reporters the individual is in their 20s but provided few additional details, including whether the person had any known connection to the campus.
Political Reactions and Debate
Lawmakers and public figures reacted quickly, reigniting debate over federal gun-policy responses. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) compared the attack to the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, telling CNN, “What I know is that a community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this.” Former Senator Joe Manchin urged politicians to “calm down” and avoid treating opponents as enemies amid a charged climate of political violence.
Other National Developments
Separately, provisions in the administration’s so-called “big, beautiful” bill would tie some federal funding to states meeting certain criteria, including integrating more artificial intelligence into health-care settings — a change experts say could bring benefits and risks for under-resourced hospitals depending on implementation.
Advocates and workers are also watching the National Labor Relations Board, which has been left without a quorum after the removal of senior member Gwynne Wilcox days after the board had resumed functioning, limiting the agency’s ability to issue rulings. Journalists of color have reported layoffs at outlets including CBS, NBC and Teen Vogue amid broader debates over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Human Impact Stories
In Louisiana, Vilma Cruz says federal agents detained her after surrounding her vehicle at a newly leased home. Her 18-year-old son, Jonathan Escalante — a U.S. citizen who just finished high school — is now trying to access his mother’s bank account, locate medical care for his nine-year-old sister with a physical disability, and pay household bills in her absence.
The investigation into the Brown shooting is ongoing, and officials have urged anyone with information to contact Providence police. Communities and lawmakers continue to debate potential policy responses as questions about gun violence, public safety and political rhetoric persist.
