Authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, are conducting a massive manhunt after a gunman opened fire inside a Brown University classroom Saturday afternoon, killing two students and injuring nine others in one of the most violent attacks ever to strike the Ivy League campus.
Police released security footage late Saturday showing the suspect walking out of the building moments after the shooting.
His face is not visible, and investigators say he was dressed entirely in black and may have been wearing a mask.
The weapon has not been recovered, and officials have not identified a motive or confirmed whether the shooter has any connection to the university.
WATCH:
The attack unfolded at approximately 4:00 p.m. inside the Barus and Holley building, part of Brown’s engineering school, where students were attending review sessions and exams.
The university immediately went into lockdown as heavily armed officers swept the campus.
Some students remain under shelter-in-place orders until police can escort them to safety.
Restaurants and businesses surrounding the campus also locked down as flashing lights and emergency vehicles filled the area.
Rhode Island Hospital officials said most of the injured are in a “critical but stable” condition.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims.
Brown University President Christina Paxson addressed the tragedy in a statement.
“This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community,” she said.
“It is deeply devastating for all of us.”
Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara confirmed officers are searching with expanded manpower.
“We’re utilising every resource possible to find this suspect,” he said.
Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene.
Economics professor Rachel Friedberg told Ocean State Radio that the shooting erupted during a review session led by her teaching assistant.
“He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something – he couldn’t remember what he yelled – and started shooting,” she recounted.
“Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot.”
Police cleared the building Saturday afternoon but found no trace of the suspect or firearm.
Earlier reports that a suspect had been detained were quickly retracted when officers confirmed the individual had no involvement.
Residents near campus have been told to stay indoors until police lift the emergency order.
The university announced that officers would be entering non-residential buildings to escort people to safe locations.
Students described hours of fear and uncertainty. Mari Camara, 20, told the Associated Press she ran from the library into a nearby restaurant as the shooting unfolded.
She remained hidden for three hours.
“Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened,” she said.
All exams scheduled for Saturday have been canceled, according to Provost Frank Doyle.
Speaking to reporters upon returning to the White House from the annual Army–Navy football game, President Donald Trump called the shooting “a terrible thing.”
“All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt,” the president added.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also issued a statement:
“Our capital city experienced an unthinkable tragedy today.
“Our hearts are with the people of Providence and all those impacted.”
Brown University, founded in the 18th century and home to more than 11,000 students, is located in Providence, roughly 50 miles from Boston and 180 miles from New York City.
Police continue to search for the gunman as one of the region’s largest manhunts in years intensifies.
READ MORE – Judge Kicks Charlie Kirk Assassin Tyler Robinson’s Family Out of Courtroom
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.