Suspect on the Run After Attack
A shooter clad in black opened fire at Brown University on Sunday, December 14, 2025, killing at least two people and injuring eight others, authorities reported. The incident occurred during final exams at the Ivy League institution, prompting a widespread police search for the suspect.
Law enforcement officers combed the campus and surrounding affluent neighborhoods, checking academic buildings, backyards, and porches in the hours following the attack.
Timothy O’Hara, Deputy Chief of Police, stated that the suspect, described as a male in dark clothing, was last seen leaving the engineering building where the shooting took place. Authorities believe the attacker used a handgun, according to a law enforcement official speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigation.
Context of Gun Laws in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is known for having some of the strictest gun regulations in the United States. Earlier this year, the Democratic-controlled legislature passed a ban on assault weapons, set to prohibit the sale and manufacture of certain high-powered firearms starting next July. The law, however, does not restrict current possession.
Governor Dan McKee expressed his shock, stating, “The unthinkable has happened.” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged nearby residents to remain indoors under a shelter-in-place order until it is lifted, emphasizing, “We have all available resources to locate the suspect.”
Eyewitness Accounts from the Scene
Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, described hearing loud pops while working on a final project in the engineering building’s lobby. Realizing they were gunshots, she quickly fled to a nearby building, waiting safely for several hours.
Eight individuals were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, with six in critical but stable condition. Another victim remained in critical condition, and one was stable, according to hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan.
University officials initially reported that a suspect had been detained, but later clarified that no one was in custody. Mayor Smiley confirmed that a person preliminarily believed to be involved was cleared of any connection.
Campus Lockdown and Tactical Response
Approximately five hours after the shooting, officers in tactical gear escorted students from several campus buildings to a fitness center for safety. The attack took place in the Barus and Holley building, a seven-story facility that houses Brown’s School of Engineering and physics department, containing over 100 laboratories, classrooms, and offices.
Engineering design exams were ongoing at the time of the attack. Senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce, located across the street in his dorm, recounted hearing sirens and receiving an active shooter alert shortly after 4 PM. “I’m just in here shaking,” he said, observing armed officers outside and fearing for a friend inside the building.
Nearby, doctoral student Chiangheng Chien described how students hid under desks and turned off lights in a lab after receiving the alert. Mari Camara, a junior from New York City, sought shelter in a taqueria for over three hours while communicating with friends and observing police activity.
National Response
President Donald Trump commented briefly at the White House, stating he had been briefed on the situation and urged prayers for the victims, describing the incident as “a shame.” The FBI confirmed its assistance in responding to the shooting.
About Brown University
Founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh oldest higher education institution in the United States and one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges. It serves roughly 7,300 undergraduates and over 3,000 graduate students. Total costs, including tuition and housing, approach USD 100,000 per year.
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