Brown University, US on Lockdown After Deadly Campus Shooting

Brown University authorities ordered an immediate lockdown on Saturday afternoon after a gunman opened fire inside one of the institution’s academic buildings, leaving two people dead and eight others critically injured.

The shooting occurred at the Barus and Holley building, which houses the university’s engineering and physics departments, at a time when several examinations were scheduled to take place.

The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response and forced students and staff to shelter in place as the suspect fled the scene.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the casualties during a news briefing, saying,

“I can confirm that there are two individuals who have died this afternoon, and there are another eight in critical status, though stable.”

Law enforcement officials said the attacker, described as a man dressed entirely in black, was last seen leaving the building. No weapon has been recovered, and authorities said the suspect remained at large hours after the attack.

Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara said security agencies were deploying extensive resources in the manhunt.

“We’re utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect. The shelter in place is still in order and I urge people to take that very seriously. Please do not come to the area,” he said.

Brown University issued an emergency alert at 4:22 p.m., warning of an active shooter near the engineering complex and instructing those on campus to secure themselves. “Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice,” the alert read.

Police and emergency medical teams flooded the area, while local media reported visible signs of violence, including blood-stained sidewalks near the scene.

Federal agencies also joined the response, with FBI Director Kash Patel stating on X that the bureau was providing “all capabilities necessary.” Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also dispatched.

Students nearby described scenes of panic and confusion. Katie Sun, speaking to the Brown Daily Herald, said she was studying in a nearby building when she heard gunshots and ran back to her dorm without her belongings. “It was honestly quite terrifying. The shots seemed like they were coming from…where the classrooms are,” she said.

US President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and reacted publicly, calling it a tragedy.

“What a terrible thing it is,” he said. “All we can do right now is pray for the victims.”

Brown University, located in Providence near Boston, has an enrollment of about 11,000 students. The attack adds to a growing list of school-related shootings in the United States, where efforts to tighten gun control laws continue to face political stalemate.