Authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, are searching for a gunman who opened fire at Brown University, killing two students and injuring nine others.

The shooting, which occurred in an engineering building during exams, prompted an extensive lockdown and major law enforcement response.

The incident took place in Brown’s Barus & Holley engineering building, where students were taking exams. Officials reported two students killed and seven of the nine wounded in critical condition, while another person sustained minor injuries from bullet fragments.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged prayers for the victims, emphasizing the tragedy occurred just weeks before Christmas.

Massive manhunt launched

Over 400 law enforcement officers were deployed to track the suspect, who remains at large.
Police are working alongside the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to search streets and buildings around the campus.

Authorities plan to release a video of the suspect, described as a male in his 30s, dressed in black, possibly wearing a mask. Shell casings were recovered from the scene, but further details have not been disclosed.

Campus response and lockdown

Students were instructed to shelter in place as news of the shooting spread. Brown University student Chiang-Heng Chien said he and three others stayed under desks for two hours after receiving a warning about the active shooter.

University President Christina Paxson confirmed that nearly all victims were students and described the event as “the day one hopes never happens.”

Security was increased across Providence, including streets near Brown University, as the search continued.
The manhunt was complicated by holiday crowds and ongoing city events, with local and federal law enforcement collaborating to locate the suspect. Police have been reviewing video footage and following tips from witnesses, though no breakthrough has occurred yet.

Mass shootings are more frequent in the U.S. than many countries due to permissive gun laws. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 389 mass shootings—defined as incidents with four or more victims—have occurred in the U.S. this year, including at least six at schools. Last year saw more than 500 such events.

President Donald Trump, briefed on the situation, called the shooting “terrible” and urged prayers for the victims.