Daijiworld Media Network - Rhode Island
Rhode Island, Dec 14: At least two people were killed and eight others sustained injuries after a shooter dressed in black opened fire at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday, authorities said. The incident occurred while students were appearing for their final examinations on the campus.
According to officials, the suspect has not yet been apprehended. Police continued to comb through campus buildings and search surrounding areas, including trash bins, more than three hours after the shooting, news agency Associated Press reported.
Deputy Chief of Police Timothy O'Hara said the suspect was a male wearing dark clothing and was last seen leaving the engineering building where the attack took place. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced that a shelter-in-place order had been imposed in areas around the campus and urged residents to remain indoors until further notice.
Mayor Smiley said all available resources were being deployed to locate the suspect. He added that the eight injured victims were in critical but stable condition, but declined to confirm whether they were students.
The shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the physics department. Engineering design examinations were underway when gunfire erupted.
A student working on a project in a dormitory opposite the building said he heard sirens and received an alert about an active shooter. “I’m just in here shaking,” the student told Associated Press. Another student said those inside a nearby laboratory hid under desks and switched off the lights after receiving the emergency alert.
US President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and, in brief remarks at the White House, said, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims.” In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the FBI was on the scene. He initially said the suspect was in custody before later clarifying that the attacker was still at large, citing university police.
Vice President JD Vance also expressed concern, saying on X that authorities were closely monitoring the situation and that the FBI stood ready to assist. He said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families.