A shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday left at least two people dead and eight others critically injured. The incident happened while exams were underway, adding to panic across the campus.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the casualties soon after police received reports of an active shooter. Authorities said the situation remains serious because the suspect has not been caught.

University alerted police during exams

Mayor Smiley said university officials learned about the shooting around 4:05 pm local time. They immediately called 911 for help. “I can confirm that there are two individuals who have died this afternoon, and there are another eight in critical status, though stable, at Rhode Island Hospital,” Smiley told reporters.

He added that officials are still gathering information.“Those are the only injuries or casualties that we know at this time,” “ But as I mentioned and it’s important to remind folks these numbers may change.”

Shooter description and campus alert

Rhode Island officials described the suspect as a man dressed in black. He reportedly fled the scene on foot. At 4:22 pm, Brown University issued an emergency alert. The school warned students about a gunman near the Barus and Holley engineering lab.

“Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice,” the university said.

The alert also shared safety instructions.“Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself.”

Confusion over suspect custody

At 5:27 pm, the university reported that shots were fired near Governor Street, about two blocks from campus. Minutes later, the Providence Police Department confirmed, “Multiple shots in the area of Brown University.”

Confusion spread after the university briefly announced that police had taken a suspect into custody. Officials later withdrew that update and clarified the situation. “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).”

Trump, FBI respond to incident

US President Donald Trump also corrected an earlier post on Truth Social. He had wrongly stated that police had arrested the suspect.

Later, Trump confirmed federal involvement. “I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island,”
“The FBI is on the scene.”

Law enforcement agencies remain at the location and continue to investigate the attack.

Second campus shooting in a week

The Brown University shooting marks the second major incident of gun violence on a US campus this week. On December 9, a shooting at Kentucky State University in Frankfort killed one student and critically injured another.

Police identified the suspect in that case as Jacob Lee Bard, the parent of a student at the university.

Rising concern over gun violence

School shootings continue to affect campuses across the United States. According to CNN estimates, the country recorded 73 school shootings in 2025 as of December 9.

The latest attack has once again raised urgent concerns about campus safety and the growing demand for stricter gun laws.