PROVIDENCE, R.I. — At least two people were killed and eight others were wounded after a shooting erupted at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, as police launched a massive search for the suspect.
Authorities said the gunman, described as a male dressed in dark clothing, opened fire inside the Barus and Holley building, which houses the university’s School of Engineering and physics department. Engineering design final exams were underway at the time of the attack.
More than three hours after the shooting, officers continued searching campus buildings and surrounding areas. The suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building, according to Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy O’Hara.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said a shelter in place order was issued for areas surrounding the campus, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid returning home until authorities lift the advisory.
The eight wounded victims were reported to be in critical but stable condition. Officials did not immediately confirm whether the victims were students.
University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect had been taken into custody but later clarified that police were still searching for a suspect. The mayor said a person briefly detained was later determined to have no involvement.
Providence City Councilmember John Goncalves, whose district includes the Brown campus, expressed shock and grief over the incident, urging residents to lock their doors and remain vigilant.
Students across campus described scenes of fear and confusion. Some hid under desks and turned off lights in nearby laboratories after receiving alerts about an active shooter. Others sought shelter in nearby businesses as heavily armed officers secured the area.
Brown University senior Alex Bruce said he was working in his dorm across the street when he heard sirens and received an emergency alert shortly after 4 p.m., adding that he feared for friends who may have been inside the building during the attack.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and offered prayers for the victims, calling the shooting a tragedy.
Providence police said the investigation remains ongoing and that authorities are still gathering information from the scene. The FBI is assisting local law enforcement.
Brown University is a private Ivy League institution with about 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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