Brown University Shooting Kills Two, Leaves Campus on Edge/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A deadly shooting inside a Brown University classroom killed two students and wounded nine others during final exams. Police briefly detained a person of interest but later released him, leaving investigators without a suspect. The attack triggered hours of lockdown, campuswide cancellations, and renewed debate over gun violence in America.
Quick Read: What We Know
- Shooting occurred Saturday afternoon during final exams
- Two Brown University students were killed
- Nine students were wounded, several critically
- Gunfire erupted inside an engineering classroom
- Shooter fired more than 40 rounds using a 9mm handgun
- Campus was locked down for hours
- A person of interest was detained, then released
- No suspect currently in custody
- Classes and exams for the semester were canceled
- Vigils held as community mourns victims
Deep Look: Brown University Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Investigation Widens
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University remains shaken after a deadly shooting inside a classroom left two students dead and nine others wounded, forcing a lockdown of the Ivy League campus and prompting a massive, fast-moving investigation that has yet to identify a suspect.
The shooting unfolded Saturday afternoon in the Barus & Holley engineering building as students were taking final exams — one of the busiest and most stressful times of the academic year. Authorities say the gunman opened fire inside a first-floor classroom, firing more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun.
Chaos and Lockdown on Campus
As shots rang out, hundreds of students and staff members barricaded themselves inside classrooms, dorms and libraries. Some hid behind desks and bookshelves for hours as police swept buildings room by room. Surveillance video later released showed a suspect dressed in black walking away from the scene.
The lockdown stretched into the night before being lifted early Sunday morning. Brown canceled all remaining classes, exams, and academic work for the semester, and students were told they could leave campus if they wished.
University President Christina Paxson, fighting back tears, said the community was struggling with shock and grief.
“They are amazing and they’re supporting each other,” Paxson said after visiting wounded students in the hospital. “There’s just a lot of gratitude and resilience.”
Victims and the Wounded
Of the nine wounded, one student was later released from the hospital, while others remained in critical or stable condition. Among the injured is Kendall Turner, a recent graduate of Durham Academy in North Carolina. Her school confirmed she was in critical but stable condition, with her parents at her side.
The identities of the two students killed have not yet been released publicly.
Person of Interest Released
Early Sunday, law enforcement officials announced they had taken a person of interest into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from campus. The individual was described by sources as a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin.
However, by Sunday night, authorities said the individual would be released, citing insufficient evidence to keep him detained.
“We have a murderer out there,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said during a late-night news conference. He acknowledged the setback would likely cause renewed anxiety across campus and the city.
Investigators said evidence that initially pointed toward the detained individual later led them “in a different direction.” Police are now expanding efforts to collect surveillance footage and witness accounts.
Weapons and Investigation Details
A law enforcement official told the Associated Press that two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was detained, along with two loaded 30-round magazines. One firearm was equipped with a laser sight, a feature used to improve targeting accuracy. Officials emphasized the investigation is ongoing and that those weapons may or may not be linked to the shooting.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez described the investigation as moving “extremely fast,” though he declined to provide further details.
Community Response and Vigils
Sunday evening, residents and city leaders gathered at a Providence park for a vigil honoring the victims. The event had originally been planned as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting, adding emotional weight to the gathering.
Mayor Brett Smiley said he visited wounded students and was struck by their courage. One student told him that active shooter drills in high school helped them survive.
“The resilience they showed is overwhelming,” Smiley said.
National Gun Debate Reignited
The shooting has reignited national debate over gun violence. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a leading Democratic voice on gun reform, said prospects for new federal restrictions remain bleak.
“That doesn’t mean I won’t try,” Murphy said, criticizing Republican leaders and President Donald Trump for their alignment with gun lobby interests.
A Prestigious Campus in Mourning
Founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh-oldest college in the United States, with more than 10,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Saturday’s attack marks one of the deadliest campus shootings in recent years and has left lasting scars on the university community.
As investigators continue searching for the gunman, officials say the focus remains on student safety, mental health support, and accountability.
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