A shooting at a Brown University building on Saturday afternoon left two people dead and nine others injured, prompting a massive manhunt, according to Rhode Island officials.
The gunfire erupted at approximately 4:05 p.m. inside Barus & Holley, the university’s engineering and physics building, Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley said during a press conference. Authorities said the building’s exterior doors were unlocked at the time due to exams being held.
An official briefed on the investigation said preliminary information indicates the shooting occurred inside a classroom where a study group was meeting.
Among the injured, one person is in critical condition, while six others are listed as critical but stable. Two additional victims are in stable condition, including one with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials said it remains unclear how the suspect entered the building. Investigators believe the suspect exited on the Hope Street side of the complex.
Providence police released surveillance video Saturday showing a person of interest leaving 184 Hope Street and walking toward the water. The individual is wearing dark clothing, and his face is not visible. Some witnesses reported the suspect may have been wearing a camouflage mask, though that detail has not been confirmed. Authorities said the suspect could be in his 30s, but his exact age is unknown.
The university said it is working to determine who was inside the building when the shooting occurred.
Brown University issued its first BrownUAlert message at approximately 4:20 p.m., about 15 minutes after the shooting was reported, warning students and staff of an active shooter situation and instructing them to shelter in place or avoid the area.
Brown cancels final exams that were scheduled for tomorrow:
Final exams scheduled for tomorrow have been canceled, Brown University Provost Frank Doyle said during a news conference tonight.
“At this time, we will not be having final exams tomorrow,” he said.
End-of-semester finals started yesterday and were scheduled through the end of next weekend, according to the school’s academic calendar.
Two final exams were taking place today inside Brown’s Barus & Holley building, where the shooting took place, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said. The building is a core part of the school’s engineering and physics programs and stands on the eastern edge of campus.
