Two people are dead and eight others injured following a shooting Saturday afternoon on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Authorities said the first call alerting police to the attack came in at 4:05 p.m. at the Barus & Holley building, which contains both classrooms and lab space. Multiple exams were scheduled in the building throughout the day, according to a statement from the school.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the two fatalities, and said eight others are in critical but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital, although he cautioned that those numbers could change. No suspect is in custody, no weapon has been recovered and the community is urged to continue sheltering in place.
Providence Police Commander Timothy O’Hara, deputy chief of the department, described the suspect as “a male dressed in black.” “It is unknown how he entered the building, but we do know that he exited the Hope Street side of that complex,” O’Hara said during a Saturday evening press conference.
O’Hara also asked residents in the immediate area to help with the search by reviewing their security footage and doorbell camera footage. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his agents were assisting with the search and investigation. The ATF is now on the scene as well. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Anthony L. Fisher is a senior editor and opinion columnist for MS NOW.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the situation and that the FBI was working alongside local law enforcement. “What a terrible thing it is,” he told reporters outside the White House. “All we can do right now is pray for the victims.”
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