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Suspect in custody after deadly campus shooting
Police have detained a man in his 30s following a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two students dead and nine others injured. The shelter-in-place order for the campus and surrounding areas was lifted on Sunday.
Timeline of the attack
The gunman opened fire around 4:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT) on Saturday in a classroom inside the Holley engineering building, where final exams were underway. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as students scrambled to take cover.
An economics professor told Ocean State Radio that her teaching assistant reported the shooter entering the room, shouting something unintelligible before firing. The building, a seven-story facility with 117 labs and dozens of classrooms, was partially secured by badge-access doors, though outer entrances remained unlocked.
Victims and injuries
Two students were killed, and nine others were wounded, including one in critical condition. Seven victims remain hospitalized in stable condition, while one was treated and released. A ninth person sustained non-life-threatening injuries from debris, not gunfire, according to police.
"This is a day we hoped would never come. It is deeply devastating for all of us."
Brown University President Christina Paxson
The university confirmed all victims were students and said families of the deceased were receiving support. Identities of the victims have not been released.
Investigation and campus response
The suspect, who is not a current Brown student, was arrested overnight at a hotel. Police released CCTV footage showing a man in black clothing leaving the scene, though no weapon was visible. Witnesses reported the shooter may have worn a camouflage mask.
An earlier arrest was made but the individual was later cleared. Authorities have not recovered a firearm from the building. Some campus areas remain restricted as the investigation continues.
University President Paxson said approximately 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight, with many local residents offering shelter. All remaining exams and academic deadlines have been suspended.
Broader context
The shooting marks the 389th mass shooting in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines such incidents as involving four or more victims, excluding the attacker. President Donald Trump, returning from the Army-Navy football game, called the attack "a terrible thing" and urged prayers for the victims.
