Shooting at Brown University Leaves Two Dead, Eight Critically Injured
A shooting near Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left eight others in critical condition, according to preliminary reports from local authorities. The incident occurred during the second day of the university’s fall semester final exams, prompting an immediate emergency alert and shelter-in-place order for students, faculty, and staff.
Active Shooter Alert and Initial Response
Brown University issued an initial alert at 4:22 PM local time, notifying the campus community of an “active shooter” and instructing individuals to “lock doors, turn cell phones to silent, and remain concealed until further notice.” The university also advised those able to do so to evacuate to a safe location, and as a last resort, to “resist.” Less than an hour later, at 5:11 PM, the university issued an update urging continued sheltering in place.
Authorities confirmed they were coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency medical personnel. Initial reports indicated gunfire near Governor Street, with the shooting reportedly taking place near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex housing the School of Engineering and Department of Physics. The building contains over 100 laboratories, numerous classrooms, and office spaces, and was actively being used for engineering design final exams at the time of the incident.
Confirmed Casualties and Ongoing Investigation
While police initially withheld specific details, a law enforcement official confirmed to the Associated Press that at least two people had been killed. Later updates from Providence Police indicated a total of two fatalities and eight individuals in critical condition, all receiving treatment at Rhode Island Hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not yet detained any suspects. According to Kristy DosReis, director of the Providence Office of Public Information, investigators are actively collecting information and working to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The FBI has confirmed its assistance to local law enforcement.
Presidential Response and Campus Safety
U.S. President Trump was briefed on the shooting and subsequently posted on his social media platform, stating, “May God bless the victims and their families.”
As police responded to the scene, students were instructed to remain sheltered in place, and the public was advised to avoid the area. Law enforcement reminded members of the media to remain in their vehicles for safety, as the area was considered an “active scene.”
Brown University is a private research institution with approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students. This incident marks a tragic disruption to the academic community and has prompted a large-scale investigation to determine the motives and circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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