Brown University Shooting: Two Killed, Nine Wounded, Suspect Arrested

A violent shooting on Saturday afternoon at Brown University left two students dead and nine others wounded, creating a city‑wide emergency that stretched into the night.

The Incident

The attack began in the engineering building’s first‑floor classroom, where the gunman opened fire with a 9 mm handgun. More than 40 rounds were fired, a law‑enforcement official told The Associated Press. The shooter was captured at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence, and was taken into custody on Sunday morning. The suspect, described by Col. Oscar Perez as a person in their 20s, has not been charged, and investigators are not searching for anyone else.

Immediate Response

Hundreds of police officers and FBI agents surrounded the campus and surrounding Providence neighborhoods, blocking hallways with crime‑scene tape. The campus was placed under lockdown, which lasted into the night. Brown University canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers, and projects for the semester, allowing students to leave campus. President Christina Paxson, visibly emotional, told students in the hospital and on campus that “they are amazing and they’re supporting each other,” adding that “there’s just a lot of gratitude.”

Weapon and Evidence

The gunman’s weapon was never recovered. However, investigators found two loaded 30‑round magazines at the scene. The official who spoke to AP was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and was identified only by the condition of anonymity.

Victims and Medical Status

Nine students were injured. One was released from the hospital, while seven others remained in critical but stable condition and one in critical condition. The wounded included a doctoral candidate, a senior biochemistry student, and a chemical engineering student, among others.

Community Reaction

Mayor Brett Smiley invited Providence residents to gather Sunday evening in a city park for an event that would light a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah. “For those who know at least a bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, there’s nothing better that we can be doing,” he told reporters. Smiley said he had visited some of the wounded students and was moved by their courage, hope, and gratitude. One survivor told him that high‑school shooting drills had helped her cope.

Accounts from the Campus

Students and staff recounted the chaos. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops. Realizing they were gunshots, she fled the building and waited in a nearby structure for hours. Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate and former “Survivor” contestant, left her lab 15 minutes before the shots rang out and was later locked down in the campus gym.

Alex Bruce, a senior biochemistry student, was working on a final research project in his dorm across the street when he heard sirens. He watched through the window as armed officers surrounded his building. Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student in engineering, turned off the lights in a nearby lab and hid under desks after receiving an alert.

Mari Camara, a 20‑year‑old junior from New York City, sought shelter in a taqueria and spent more than three hours there, texting friends while police searched the campus.

The Arrest Site

Crystal McCollaum of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was staying at the hotel where the suspect was taken. She had come with her daughter to attend a cheerleading competition in Providence but, after hearing about the shooting, chose to stay outside the city. “It was just weird and scary,” she said.

Institutional Context

Brown University, the seventh oldest higher‑education institution in the United States, hosts roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. Tuition, housing, and other fees run to nearly $100,000 per year, according to the university.

Key Takeaways

• Two students were killed and nine were wounded in a shooting at Brown University.
• A suspect in his 20s was arrested at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, but has not been charged.
• The gunman fired more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun; two 30‑round magazines were recovered.
• Mayor Brett Smiley organized a community gathering to light a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah.
• Students and faculty were forced to shelter in place, with many hiding under desks or in nearby buildings.

The shooting has left Providence and the Brown community in shock, as authorities continue to investigate the motive and the suspect’s connection to the university. The city’s emergency response and the university’s support systems were tested in the immediate aftermath, while the broader conversation about campus safety and community resilience continues to unfold.

Closing

Brown University remains closed for the remainder of the semester, and the investigation is ongoing. Residents and students alike await further updates from police and university officials as the city and campus work to heal from this tragic event.