PROVIDENCE, R.I. (PulseWire) — A horrific shooting occurred on the Brown University campus during final exams, claiming two lives and leaving nine others injured. The incident unfolded in the engineering building of the Ivy League school. Police initiated a significant search for the gunman, reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing nearby neighborhoods into the night.
The police released video footage showing a suspect, dressed in black, walking calmly away from the scene. Investigators are unsure if the individual is a student, and descriptions suggest the suspect may have been wearing a camouflage mask.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that among the victims, ten were students, with others injured due to bullets or debris. The tragedy paralyzed the campus, leading to a shelter-in-place order as students sought safety.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged local residents to remain indoors until officials determined it was safe, emphasizing that the heart of the Brown community is suffering.
The suspected shooter reportedly used a handgun, and local authorities are committed to utilizing all resources to apprehend them. As a cascade of emergency responders arrived on the scene, hospitals began treating the injured, with one individual in critical condition.
Class in Session During Shooting
Eyewitnesses revealed that engineering design exams were taking place in the building when the shooting commenced. Emma Ferraro, a student in the engineering program, recounted the moment she heard the gunfire and fled to safety.
Former 'Survivor' contestant Eva Erickson reported leaving her lab shortly before the shots rang out and was later locked down in a campus gym, while students across the university sheltered in various safe locations.
The shocking event has unsettled the tightly-knit Brown University community, which prides itself on a strong academic environment and rigorous admissions process, reflecting on the ongoing tragedy and the need for safety on campus.
