Deadly Shooting at Brown University Leaves Two Students Dead as Suspect Remains at Large
December 13, 2025
A deadly mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of two students and left nine others seriously injured, sending shockwaves through the Ivy League campus and the city of Providence. Authorities confirmed late Saturday that the suspected gunman remains at large, prompting an extensive manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The shooting unfolded inside the Barus and Holley building, a seven-story academic facility that houses Brown’s engineering and physics departments. The incident occurred while final examinations were underway, a time when the building was open and accessible to the public.
Suspect Description and Ongoing Search
Providence police described the suspect as a male dressed in black, believed to be in his 30s. According to investigators, some witnesses reported that the suspect may have been wearing a camouflage-style face covering. Surveillance footage released Saturday night shows a man believed to be linked to the attack leaving the building shortly after the shooting.
Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara stated that officers are “utilizing every available resource” to locate the suspect. Police conducted searches across campus buildings, residential streets, and nearby properties late into the night.
The search has been complicated by heavy crowds in downtown Providence due to holiday shopping and scheduled public events, according to local media reports.
Victims Confirmed as Brown Students
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all 10 individuals struck by gunfire were students, including the two fatalities. An additional person sustained injuries caused by fragments related to the shooting.
University officials initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody, but later clarified that no arrest had been made and that the shooter had fled the scene.
“This is the day one hopes never happens,” Paxson told reporters. “Our focus right now is the safety of our community and providing support to the students and families affected by this tragedy.”
Security Concerns During Final Exams
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the doors of the Barus and Holley building were unlocked because final exams were in progress.
“Based on information provided by university officials, anyone could have accessed the building at that time,” Smiley explained, raising concerns about campus security protocols during high-traffic academic periods.
The mayor emphasized the emotional weight of the tragedy, noting its proximity to the holiday season. “We are days away from Christmas, and families are facing unimaginable loss,” he said.
Students Describe Fear and Lockdowns
Students across campus described moments of fear and uncertainty as emergency alerts warned of an active shooter.
Chiang-Heng Chien, a Brown student working in a nearby laboratory, said he and several classmates hid under desks for nearly two hours after receiving text alerts.
Senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce said he was working in his dormitory across the street from the building when sirens and armed officers flooded the area. “I was shaking,” he said, fearing that a friend may have been inside the engineering building.
National Response and Federal Involvement
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee described the incident as “unthinkable.” Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), confirmed their involvement in the investigation.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had been fully briefed on the situation, calling the shooting “a terrible tragedy” and urging prayers for the victims.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also confirmed that federal agents were assisting local authorities on the ground.
A Prestigious Campus Shaken
Founded in 1764, Brown University is one of the nation’s most prestigious Ivy League institutions, enrolling approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students.
Saturday marked the second day of final exams for the fall semester. Classes were suspended following the shooting, and security was increased across campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
As the investigation continues, the Brown University community and the city of Providence remain on edge, awaiting answers as one of the most serious acts of campus violence in the school’s history continues to unfold.