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A quiet exam afternoon at Brown University turned into a nightmare when a gunman opened fire inside an engineering building, killing two people and injuring nine others. The campus went into lockdown, police launched a large search operation and students were told to hide where they were. Here is a simple, human overview of what happened and what is known so far.
Where and when the shooting happened
The shooting took place on Saturday afternoon at the Barus and Holley building, which houses Brown’s School of Engineering and parts of the physics department in Providence, Rhode Island.
Officials said shots were fired into a first‑floor classroom while exams were in progress, and the incident was first reported shortly after 4 p.m. local time.
Casualties and condition of the victims
Authorities have confirmed that two people were killed in the attack, and a total of nine others suffered injuries related to gunfire or bullet fragments.
Hospital officials reported that one victim is in critical condition, several others required intensive care but are stable, and the remaining patients are in stable condition after treatment at Rhode Island Hospital.
How the campus and police responded
Brown University issued an emergency alert telling students and staff there was an active shooter near Barus and Holley and instructing everyone to lock doors, silence phones and shelter in place.
Police in tactical gear quickly sealed off parts of the campus, escorted students from buildings to safer locations, and advised residents in nearby areas of Providence to stay indoors until the main threat had passed.
What is known about the suspect so far
Witnesses and CCTV footage suggest the attacker wore dark clothing and left the building soon after the shooting, prompting a large manhunt involving local, state and federal agencies.
Officials have spoken about a person of interest being detained at one point, but updates have shifted over time as investigators verify information, and full details on the suspect’s identity and motive are still emerging.
Impact on students and university operations
Brown cancelled classes and final exams scheduled for the coming days, and parts of the campus remain closed as an active crime scene while investigators collect evidence.
University leaders described the community as heartbroken and are expanding counselling, housing and food support for students, including keeping key facilities open to those who feel unsafe returning to normal routines.
Wider debate on campus safety and gun violence
Rhode Island’s governor has promised to use all available state resources to support the investigation and highlighted that the state already has some of the stricter gun laws in the US.
The attack has renewed questions about how even campuses with security measures like badge‑restricted exam rooms can remain vulnerable, and it adds to a long list of shootings at American schools and universities that have reignited calls for stronger national action on gun violence.