A dramatic and tragic scene unfolded Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island when a shooting occurred within the engineering building amidst final exams.
In a significant development, law enforcement in Rhode Island has announced the detention of a person of interest linked to this mass shooting, which tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to nine others.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez disclosed on Sunday afternoon that a person in their 20s is currently in custody, although charges have yet to be filed. While initial reports had suggested the individual was in their 30s, Perez clarified this detail and stated that no additional suspects are being pursued at this time. He refrained from confirming any potential connections between the detainee and Brown University.
The apprehension took place at a Hampton Inn located in Coventry, Rhode Island, roughly 20 miles from Providence. At the scene, police officers and FBI agents maintained a presence on Sunday, cordoning off a section of the hotel with crime scene tape as they conducted their investigation.
This update follows the early Sunday morning lifting of a shelter-in-place order on Brown University’s campus. University officials, in coordination with police, ended the order, although they cautioned that active investigations continue in certain areas, which remain restricted to facilitate ongoing police activity.
Brown University communicated this change to its community through an alert issued shortly before 6 a.m., emphasizing the continuation of police operations in specific crime scene zones.
Within the police perimeter, including Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings, anyone who leaves will not be allowed to return, the university said. Community members were urged to follow all law enforcement instructions.
Providence leaders warned that residents will notice a heavier police presence on Sunday. Many local businesses announced they would remain closed and expressed shock and heartbreak as the community continued to process the news of the shooting.
“Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us,” said Brown University President Christina Paxson said at the news conference.
Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable, hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said.
The suspect was a man in dark clothing who was last seen leaving the engineering building where the attack happened, said Timothy O’Hara, deputy chief of Providence police.
Security footage showed the suspect walking away from the building, but his face was not visible. Some witnesses reported that the man, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask, O’Hara said.
Investigators were not yet sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom where he opened fire. Outer doors of the building were unlocked, but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providence’s mayor said.
Vigil held to remember victims
City leaders, residents and others gathered at a Providence park Sunday evening to honor the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting.
“For those who know at least bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, there’s nothing better that we can be doing,” Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference earlier in the day.
Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. One told him that active shooting drills done in high school proved helpful.
“The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me, is frankly pretty overwhelming,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
