Person of interest in custody after gunman opens fire in engineering building classroom

Providence, Rhode Island — December 14, 2025

A mass shooting at Brown University's Barus and Holley engineering building turned a routine Saturday afternoon of final exams into tragedy, leaving two students dead and nine others injured in what authorities are investigating as a targeted attack on the Ivy League campus.

The incident unfolded around 4 p.m. local time on December 13, when a gunman entered a first-floor classroom in the building housing the School of Engineering and Physics Department. Witnesses described a man dressed in black, possibly wearing a face mask, opening fire during what was believed to be a study session or exam review for a Principles of Economics class.

All 11 victims—two killed and nine wounded—were confirmed to be Brown University students by President Christina H. Paxson. As of Sunday morning, seven of the injured were in stable condition, one in critical but stable condition, and one had been discharged from the hospital.

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez announced early Sunday that a "person of interest" in their 30s had been taken into custody overnight at a Hampton Inn hotel in nearby Coventry, Rhode Island. Law enforcement sources confirmed the individual is not a current Brown student and was found in possession of multiple firearms. Authorities stated they are no longer seeking additional suspects, though the investigation remains active.

A campus-wide shelter-in-place order, which lasted through the night and affected thousands of students barricaded in dorms, libraries, and classrooms, was lifted early Sunday. However, parts of the campus remain restricted as an active crime scene.

Eyewitness accounts painted a chaotic scene: students hiding under desks, barricading doors, and receiving urgent alerts to run, hide, or fight. One doctoral student in an engineering lab described receiving the alert and sheltering with peers for hours.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley praised the rapid response of over 400 law enforcement officers, including local police, state troopers, and FBI agents, calling it a testament to preparedness drills. "This is something no community should ever face," he said.

University President Paxson described the day as "unimaginably tragic," canceling all remaining exams, papers, and projects for the fall semester. "No words can express the deep sorrow we feel," she wrote in a community letter.

Political leaders reacted swiftly. President Donald Trump called the shooting "a terrible thing" and said he had been briefed. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee termed it an "unthinkable nightmare."

The shooting adds to the tally of mass shootings in the U.S. in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns over gun violence on campuses. Brown University, founded in 1764 and home to about 10,000 students, has joined the list of institutions scarred by such events.

As the community mourns and investigations into the motive continue, counseling services have been made available, and vigils are planned. Providence residents expressed solidarity, with the city rallying around the affected students and families in this time of grief.