Tragedy at Brown University: Two Students Killed in Shooting Incident

Police are searching for a gunman who shot dead two students and injured nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The attacker, described as a man dressed in black, fled the scene on foot, prompting a shelter-in-place warning for the area surrounding the prestigious university.

This incident marks a distressing spike in gun violence in the United States, with the number of mass shootings reaching 389 this year according to the Gun Violence Archive, which classifies mass shootings as events with four or more victims either killed or injured, excluding the perpetrator.

What Happened?

The gunman opened fire around 4 PM local time at the Holley engineering building during a final exam review session, according to university officials. Eyewitnesses reported that chaos erupted as the shooter entered the building and began firing indiscriminately.

Rachel Friedberg, an economics professor, relayed that her teaching assistant was leading the review session when the gunman entered, leading to students scrambling for safety.

Who Are the Victims?

In total, two students were killed, and nine others were injured, with one person in critical condition and six deemed critical but stable. All victims are confirmed to be students of the university, as stated by Brown University President Christina Paxson, who called the event deeply devastating.

Who Is the Gunman?

Currently, little information is known about the gunman, though police have released CCTV footage showing a male suspect dressed in black. A rigorous investigation is underway to locate the shooter, who may be in his thirties and was reported to have worn a camouflage grey mask. No weapon has been recovered at the crime scene.

What's the Latest?

Law enforcement continues to carry out a substantial operation involving both police and federal agents as approximately 400 officers search for the suspect. Residents and students in the vicinity of the university are advised to remain indoors until further notice, as tensions remain high and the community rallies to support the victims and their families. President Donald Trump remarked on the tragedy, offering thoughts and prayers for the victims during a media appearance.