A poignant moment unfolded during a CNN broadcast when anchor John Berman embraced his son, Joe, live on air. Joe, who had been caught in the midst of a terrifying mass shooting incident at Brown University, shared his ordeal with his father and the audience. Joe recounted arriving at the university’s library to meet a friend, only to learn about the nearby shooting. As he was signing an entrance form—being a visitor and not a Brown student—a concerned woman nearby was on the phone, visibly shaken, reporting that someone she knew had witnessed a person lying on the ground and had called 911.

The librarian quickly took action, instructing everyone to lock the doors, move away from windows, and seek safer locations within the building. Joe and others made their way up to the third floor, where they waited. John Berman expressed gratitude for the call he received from his son at around 4:30 PM, which was how he first learned of the unfolding situation. Joe described the seven-hour wait in the library as tense and surreal, eventually being transported with other students to a different facility. He mentioned the unusual and unsettling nature of the experience, as Brown students were taken to one building while visitors like himself were directed elsewhere.

“It felt like a natural disaster,” Joe reflected. “Everyone was checking in on each other, offering support, but some students ended up spending the night in a large athletic center.” Acknowledging his son’s upbringing amidst constant news of school shootings, John asked Joe if the reality of the situation hit him. Joe responded, “It really sank in once we left. We managed to find a place to stay off-campus for the night. The sight of numerous police cars and enforcement vehicles was overwhelming. But stepping out of that secure area and into the silence was when the gravity of it all truly struck me.”

John thanked his son again for calling and pointed out that Joe sounded very calm on the phone. ‘Were you trying to make us not worry?’ he asked. ‘I think it’s any son’s job to make their parents not worry, but in this situation I felt very safe. The Brown Police Department responded very fast. The librarians were very helpful,’ Joe replied. ‘There was security in the building, and then after three hours, there were cops protecting us. So I felt safe. I didn’t want to spread any fear onto you guys, and I was with my friend, so that’s what I cared about most. Well we appreciated it. I’m really glad you’re okay,’ John said before hugging his son. ‘That was Joe Berman. Good guy, known him for a long time,’ John emotionally quipped at the end of the interview.

On social media, people shared their sympathies and respect for John and said they were glad his son is alright. ‘What a pro John is. Had to be hard to do that interview where he provided his audience valuable information. Glad his son emerged safe and we’re thinking of those that did not,’ one user wrote on X. ‘I’m so sorry to hear about your son & what he went through yesterday. The interviews you have done with the kids are so touching. You & your family have been through the nightmare every parent pleads not to experience. Take care of yourself & each other, John,’ wrote another. ‘Happy Joe is safe,’ a third said.

The man arrested in connection to the deadly shooting at Brown University has been identified as Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old from Wisconsin, according to law enforcement sources. Police have not publicly named Erickson as a suspect or charged him in connection to the deadly attack. Law enforcement told CNN that the suspect drove 17 hours from Wisconsin to Rhode Island to commit the horrific attack. The shooter fired more than 40 9mm rounds, and two firearms – a small Glock handgun and a revolver – were found in the hotel room the arrested suspect was staying in, police said. They added that one of the guns had a laser sight, which is commonly used to show where a bullet will land once it is discharged from a firearm.

The first 911 call reporting shots fired at Brown’s prestigious engineering building was made at 4.05pm on Saturday. Terrified students at the Ivy League school were made to shelter in place overnight. That order was lifted as of 7am Sunday morning. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley gave an update on the conditions of the injured on Sunday. He said seven are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition and one has been discharged from the hospital. All eight of those still in the hospital are Brown students, the mayor confirmed. Police have yet to name the suspected shooter, and his motive is unclear.