PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A shooting at Brown University’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday left two students dead and at least nine others wounded, officials confirmed. The deadly incident, which occurred inside an academic building during final examinations, prompted a massive law enforcement response and a campus-wide lockdown as police search for the lone gunman, who remains at large.

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Scene of the Attack

The shooting took place around 4:00 p.m. local time inside the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses Brown’s School of Engineering and physics department. Students were gathered in the building for study groups and to take final exams. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley indicated that while the building’s outer doors were unlocked, the rooms being used for exams required badge access.

Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed in a statement that all or nearly all of the victims were students, calling it a “deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community.”

Casualties and Condition of the Injured

• Fatalities: Two students were killed in the attack.

• Injured: Nine other victims, all or nearly all students, were transported to Rhode Island Hospital with gunshot wounds. As of late Saturday night, seven of the injured were in critical condition, with six of those listed as critical but stable. The ninth victim was reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

“We are a week and a half away from Christmas. And two people died today,” Mayor Smiley said at a press conference, urging prayers for the victims’ families.

Manhunt and Suspect Details

A massive manhunt is underway involving more than 400 law enforcement personnel, including local, state, FBI, and ATF agents.

• Suspect Description: The shooter is described as a male, possibly in his 30s, dressed in black, and potentially wearing a mask.

• Status: The suspect remains at large. Authorities have not determined a motive for the attack.

• Investigation: Police have released a short surveillance video clip showing a person of interest—believed to be the shooter—leaving the Barus & Holley building. The footage, however, does not clearly show the person’s face or a weapon. Investigators are reviewing extensive video footage from the university’s surveillance system and following up on public tips.

• Shelter-in-Place: A shelter-in-place order was issued for the Brown community and surrounding Providence neighborhood, which remained in effect for several hours as officers meticulously searched buildings on and around the campus.

Providence Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara confirmed that shell casings were recovered from the scene, and authorities believe the shooter used a handgun. The search for the suspect has been complicated by large crowds of holiday shoppers in the downtown Providence area.

Official Response and Campus Status

Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee and Mayor Brett Smiley have both vowed that all necessary resources are being deployed to capture the individual responsible.

• University officials initially and mistakenly reported that a suspect was in custody, only to issue a correction twenty minutes later, stating that the search was ongoing. A person initially detained was later cleared of any involvement.

• Brown University President Christina Paxson canceled all final exams scheduled for Sunday and urged students to remain vigilant while the gunman is at large.

The incident marks the first mass shooting in recent history to occur at an Ivy League university.