Two students killed, nine injured in shooting at Brown University December 13. Suspect still at large. 400+ law enforcement searching. Latest updates available.
A gunman opened fire at Brown University on Saturday, December 13, 2025, killing two students and critically injuring nine others. The shooting occurred at 4:05 PM in Room 166 of the Barus and Holley Engineering Building during a final exam review session. The suspect fled on foot and remains at large despite deployment of over 400 law enforcement officers, including FBI and ATF agents.
The Attack: Timeline
4:05 PM Saturday: A gunman entered the unlocked Barus and Holley Engineering Building and opened fire in Room 166, where approximately 100 students were attending an economics review session. The shooting lasted several minutes before the suspect fled.
4:15 PM: Brown University issued emergency alert instructing students to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.” Students barricaded themselves in classrooms, silenced phones, and hid as trained during active shooter drills.
Evening: Law enforcement evacuated campus buildings through the night. Campus-wide lockdown remained in effect through Sunday morning.
The Victims
Deaths: 2 students (identities not yet released)
Injured: 9 students hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital
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1 in critical condition
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6 in critical but stable condition
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2 in stable condition
All victims are Brown University students ranging from first-year to senior status. The targeted review session had capacity for 186 people, making this one of the largest gatherings on campus during exam period.
The Suspect: Still Unidentified
Police released surveillance video showing a “person of interest” leaving the Barus and Holley building shortly after the shooting.
Description:
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Male, believed in his 30s
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Dressed entirely in black
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Face covered/obscured (possibly wearing mask)
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Walking calmly away from scene on Hope Street
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No visible panic or urgency
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Why still at large: Suspect may have fled into residential neighborhoods, changed appearance, or taken public transit. The campus’s integration into downtown Providence offers numerous escape routes.
The Investigation
Law enforcement deployed: Over 400 officers from Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, FBI, and ATF
Weapon: Handgun believed used. No weapon recovered at scene, suggesting suspect retained it.
Crime scene evidence: Building footage exists but doesn’t clearly show suspect’s face. External video released to public for identification assistance.
Motive: Completely unknown. No manifesto, no threats reported beforehand, no apparent connection to victims.
Connection to Brown: Suspect not yet identified as student, staff, or faculty. Investigation ongoing.
Campus Response
Classes suspended: All exams postponed indefinitely. Campus closure extended through at least December 15.
Lockdown status: Full campus lockdown through Sunday with 400+ officers securing perimeter.
Support services: Crisis counselors available 24/7 for affected students and staff.
President’s statement: Brown University President Christina Paxson called it “an unimaginably tragic day for our community.”
