A tragic shooting at Brown University has plunged the campus into grief and fear after two students were killed and nine others injured, triggering an extensive and ongoing manhunt for the gunman. As chaos unfolded, students across the university scrambled for safety, many barricading themselves inside classrooms, labs, and libraries while police swept the campus building by building.
A dramatic video recorded inside one of the university libraries captured the intensity of the moment armed officers located a group of students sheltering in place. The footage shows police entering with weapons drawn, ordering students to raise their hands, and asking whether anyone was injured before escorting them out under strict security. The tense interaction reflected the uncertainty police faced as they searched for the shooter, unsure whether the suspect might be hiding among students.
The attack unfolded around 4:05 pm local time inside the Barus & Holley building, home to Brown’s School of Engineering and Physics Department. Authorities said a male assailant dressed entirely in black opened fire in a classroom before fleeing the scene on foot. Police issued an immediate shelter-in-place order that remained in effect late into the night as officers warned nearby residents to stay inside and avoid the area.
One person was briefly detained during the initial response but was later released after police determined they were not connected to the shooting. Meanwhile, multiple law enforcement agencies, including ATF agents, joined the search for the gunman.
Graduate students Marcos and Daniel, who were studying inside the Rockefeller Library when the alerts sounded, described how they hid away from windows and waited anxiously for updates. When officers finally reached their floor, they were instructed to drop their bags and raise their hands before being led out. Like many students, they now plan to remain at home until the suspect is caught.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the death toll and said several of the injured students were in critical condition, warning that the number could rise depending on medical outcomes. He noted that the community was facing an unprecedented tragedy and urged vigilance.
Police later released CCTV footage showing the suspect leaving the Barus & Holley building moments after the attack. Although the gunman’s face and weapon are not clearly visible, investigators believe the footage offers important clues about his escape route. According to counter-terrorism specialist Todd McGhee, the video narrows down the direction in which the suspect fled and will help assemble a timeline using nearby surveillance cameras and digital evidence.
ATF agents are working to identify the firearm used, trace its origin, and determine whether the suspect left behind a digital trail, such as online posts or communications. Investigators are also checking whether a vehicle may have been staged nearby to aid in the escape.
US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the situation and called on anyone with information to contact authorities immediately, as the search for the gunman continues.
