2 Brown University students were killed and 9 others were wounded Saturday afternoon in a shooting on the Ivy League campus during final exams, police said, as law enforcement detained a person of interest early Sunday and the community struggled to process the tragedy.
The shooting happened about 4:05 p.m. in the Barus & Holley engineering building, where students were studying and attending review sessions ahead of final exams. Students rushed for cover as gunfire echoed through the hallways, authorities said.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed a person of interest in their mid-20s was taken into custody early Sunday at a hotel in Coventry, about 28 miles south of Providence. Law enforcement officials said they were not actively searching for other suspects, though investigators continue gathering evidence.
At a Sunday news conference, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said residents could “breathe a little easier” with someone in custody, but stressed the investigation wasn’t over. “
We have detained a person of interest,” Smiley said, according to local reports. “We are lifting the shelter-in-place.”
The names of those killed or wounded have not been released. Most of the injured were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where officials said several are in stable condition and at least one remains critically injured.
Students recalled scenes of chaos as the attack unfolded.
Joseph Oduro, a senior and teaching assistant, told reporters the gunman burst into a classroom holding a long firearm.
“He came in and started shooting,” Oduro said.
Many students ducked or ran as shots rang out, he said, adding that he stayed with a student who had been shot until help arrived.
One student, who survived the shooting, texted his mother during the attack.
“Mom, there’s a live shooting on campus. I’m going to run, I love you.”
The incident has brought shock and sorrow to the Brown community. Christina Paxson, Brown University president, called it a “deeply tragic day” for the campus and local community in a written statement. “There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today,” she said.
Officials from the U.S. Secret Service said they were offering support to local law enforcement. In a post on social media, the agency said it was providing “any and all support” to authorities in the wake of the shooting.
The Barus & Holley building, a central hub for Brown’s engineering and physics programs, usually requires a key card for entry. Officials noted that open doors during finals week may have made access easier for the gunman, though details remain under investigation.
Classes and remaining finals were canceled Sunday as the university worked to support students and faculty. A vigil was planned for Sunday evening in Providence to honor the victims and bring the community together.
Family members of students described frantic hours after the shooting, trying to reach loved ones and piece together what had happened.
One relative said it was a relief when they learned their sibling was safe, but added,“It was very worrisome. It was scary.”
The Providence Police Department, FBI and other agencies continue to investigate, reviewing surveillance footage and questioning witnesses. Officials have urged anyone with information to come forward as they work to understand what led to the violence.
