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2025 Brown University shooting

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2025 Brown University shooting
The Barus and Holley building, where the shooting occurred, pictured in 2018
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100m
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Barus and Holley Building, Brown University
Barus and Holley Building
Location41°49′35″N 71°23′52″W / 41.8265°N 71.3979°W / 41.8265; -71.3979
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
DateDecember 13, 2025 (2025-12-13)
4:05 p.m. (EST)
Attack type
Mass shooting, university shooting
WeaponsUnidentified handgun
Deaths2
Injured9

On December 13, 2025, a mass shooting occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, during the second day of final examination week for the fall semester.[1] Two students were killed and nine other people were wounded during the attack at a final exam review session.[2] It is the only mass shooting that has occurred at an Ivy League university in recent history.[3]

Background

Main article: Brown University

Brown University is an Ivy League university located in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island.[4] The university had a total enrollment of approximately 11,500 students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical) in 2023.[2]

In June 2025, Rhode Island passed increased gun control measures, including a prohibition on homemade firearms and high-capacity magazines.[5][6] It was ranked 13th out of the 50 U.S. states for gun control legislation by Everytown for Gun Safety.[7]

Shooting

The first alert message sent by the university to the campus community regarding an active shooter

At approximately 4:05 p.m. EST on December 13, 2025, a shooting occurred inside Room 166[8] on the first floor of the Brown University School of Engineering's Barus and Holley Building, which also houses the university's physics department and MacMillan Hall.[9][2] The room had a capacity of 186 people according to Brown University's website.[8] At the time of the shooting, a review session for an introductory economics class was being held by a teaching assistant for Teaching Professor of Economics Rachel Friedberg.[10][11] The building was unlocked, and it was the second day of the school's final examination week for the fall semester.[1][12]

At 4:22 p.m, the university's Public Safety and Emergency Management issued the first alert message to the campus community about "an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering".[13][14]

At 5:27 p.m., the university sent an alert message for another gunfire near Governor Street; it retracted the message at 6:10 p.m., stating that "a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street was unfounded."[15][16] It was not clear in the immediate aftermath what weapon the attacker had used. However, authorities stated that they believed the weapon used was a handgun.[17]

Victims

Providence mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that two people were killed and nine others were injured.[18][19] According to Brown University president Christina Paxson, at least eight victims, including the two dead, were students.[20] As of 12 a.m. EST on December 14, one patient was in critical condition, six patients were in critical but stable condition and two patients are in stable condition.[21][3] All nine injured victims were transported to the university-affiliated Rhode Island Hospital for gun-related injuries.[22][8]

At least two current Brown students—Mia Tretta and Zoe Weissman, who were in their dormitories during the shooting—had survived other school shootings; the two are survivors of the 2019 Saugus High School shooting and the 2018 Parkland high school shooting, respectively.[23]

Investigation

In a press conference, Providence mayor Smiley stated that over 400 officers from various agencies across Rhode Island were responding to the incident. Shell casings were also identified that could be linked to the suspect.[8] The Providence Police Department released security footage of the suspect shortly after the press conference that took place around 10 p.m.[2] Both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that their agents responded to the situation.[24]

A law enforcement official told the media that two handguns were in police's possession following the apprehension of the person-of-interest. One of the handguns was a 9mm handgun and one of the two handguns was equipped with a green laser dot sight.[25]

Suspect

Person of interest and in connection with the shooting, possible shooter

A lone suspect was described by the Providence Police Department as a male dressed in all black, or dark gray.[26][27] According to video evidence, the man seemed to be in his 30s and wore gray camouflage.[8] It is unconfirmed how the suspect entered the building where shots took place, but authorities confirmed that he exited on the Hope Street side.[26][27]

Police released a video of the suspect walking down Hope Street later that night.[28] Authorities also asked nearby residents with Ring Video Doorbell systems for any relevant information they may have.[29] Prior to the first briefing, an initial alert from the Brown University Department of Public Safety reported that a suspect was in custody, but a correction was made twenty minutes later stating that no suspects were in custody.[9]

The following morning, the Providence Police Department announced that a man had been detained at a Hampton Inn in the neighboring town of Coventry as a person of interest in the investigation. An earlier shelter-in-place order was then lifted.[30][31] Police said that the suspect had a "unique characteristic" on a firearm, which was found on the suspect when he was detained.[32] Law enforcement sources said the suspect is from Wisconsin and is believed to have travelled to Rhode Island to carry out the shooting.[33] A revolver and a small Glock handgun with a laser sight attached were found in the hotel room of the suspect.[34] Oscar Perez, Providence’s police chief, told reporters that they are not seeking anyone else at this time.[35]

Reactions

On the afternoon of the shooting, President Donald Trump stated "God bless the victims and the families of the victims!"[36] Various others, including the neighboring governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots, along with other local sports teams, expressed their support for the victims of the shooting.[37]

Universities and other academic institutions including fellow Ivy League schools Columbia University and Cornell University as well as the American Mathematical Society issued statements condemning the shooting and offering sympathy and support for the Brown community.[38][39][40]

Brown University provost Francis J. Doyle III announced that classes and exams for the rest of the fall term were canceled.[41]

The day after the attack, December 14, 2025, was the 13th anniversary of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The anti-gun violence non-profit, Sandy Hook Promise, released a statement which in part read: "Our hearts are with Brown University as this tragic story unfolds. We cannot allow this to keep happening. We must #EndGunViolence."[42][25]

Kendall Turner, one of the victims of the shooting, who is in critical condition was a recent graduate of the private school, Durham Academy located in Durham, North Carolina. This led Durham Academy to release statement, stating in part, "Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead,".[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Kruesi, Kimberlee (December 13, 2025). "Multiple victims reported in shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island". AP News. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Two dead and eight critically injured after shooting at Brown University". BBC News. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Allen, Bailey. "Brown is the only Ivy League school in recent history to experience a mass shooting". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  4. ^ "Police hunt for gunman who killed 2 Brown University students, injured 9 people". Reuters. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  5. ^ "Governor McKee Signs Bill Banning the Sale of Assault Weapons". Governor's Office, State of Rhode Island. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "Ghost guns ban signed into law". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  7. ^ "Gun Laws in Rhode Island". Everytown Research & Policy. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Meyer, Matt (December 13, 2025). "Shooting began during final exam review session for Principles of Economics class, professor tells NYT". CNN. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Ritter, Ian; Feil, Emily (December 13, 2025). "Active shooter on campus, no suspects in custody, Department of Public Safety reports". The Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  10. ^ Bernfeld, Jeremy; Berke, Ben; Donnis, Ian (December 13, 2025). "2 dead, 9 wounded in shooting at Brown University; suspect still at large". Ocean State Media. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Friedberg, Rachel". vivo.brown.edu. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  12. ^ Helmore, Edward (December 13, 2025). "Two people dead and nine wounded in mass shooting at Brown University, as suspect remains at large". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  13. ^ Ziegler, Hannah; Kirk, Rylee (December 13, 2025). "Students Told to Hide From 'Active Shooter' at Brown University". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  14. ^ "Urgent: Hostile Intruder | Public Safety | Brown University". publicsafety.brown.edu. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  15. ^ Castro, Alexander; Weisman, Janine L. (December 13, 2025). "'The unthinkable has happened.' 2 killed, nine injured in mass shooting on Brown University campus". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  16. ^ "Urgent: Hostile Intruder | Public Safety | Brown University". publicsafety.brown.edu. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Yee, Curtis; Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Luena; Richer, Alanna Durkin (December 14, 2025). "2 people were killed and 9 others injured in shooting at Brown University". AP News. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "2 dead, 8 critical, Providence mayor says". NBC News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  19. ^ @BNONews (December 13, 2025). "BREAKING: At least 10 people shot, 2 killed, at Brown University in Rhode Island, mayor says. Suspect not in custody" (Tweet). Retrieved December 13, 2025 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Faul, Alexandra; Pereira, Ivan; Barr, Luke. "Brown University shooting: Manhunt underway after 2 killed, 9 wounded". ABC News. Retrieved December 14, 2025.1
  21. ^ Meyer, Matt (December 13, 2025). "Live updates: At least 2 students killed and 9 wounded in shooting at Brown University, officials say". CNN. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  22. ^ "'Confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims,' Brown says". NBC News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  23. ^ Kassam, Ashifa (December 14, 2025). "Two survivors of Brown University attack escaped other school shootings". The Guardian. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  24. ^ "ATF says its agents are responding to Brown". NBC News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b c Vileira, Luena Rodriguez-Feo; Yee, Curtis (December 14, 2025). "December 14th Live updates: Police place person of interest in custody after Brown University shooting". AP News. Retrieved December 14, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Suspect described as 'male dressed in black'". NBC News. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b @BNONews (December 13, 2025). "Police: Suspect in Brown University shooting is a male dressed in black. It's unknown how he entered but he exited on the Hope St. side. He's still at large" (Tweet). Retrieved December 13, 2025 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ @wpri12 (December 13, 2025). "10:45 PM: Providence police have released a video of the suspected gunman still at large" (Tweet). Retrieved December 13, 2025 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Rotondo, Irene (December 14, 2025). "Police seek Ring camera footage after shooting at Brown University leaves 2 dead, 8 hurt". MassLive. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  30. ^ "'Person of interest' detained over Brown University shooting, official says". BBC News. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  31. ^ "Person of interest was captured at Hampton Inn in Coventry". WJAR. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  32. ^ "Suspect is in custody after shooting, officials say". NBC News. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  33. ^ "Person detained in connection to the Brown University shooting is from Wisconsin, sources say". CNN. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  34. ^ "Revolver and a small Glock handgun found in hotel room of person detained in connection to shooting, sources say". CNN. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  35. ^ Dey, Mrinmay (December 14, 2025). "Police hold person of interest after Brown University shooting leaves two dead". Reuters. Retrieved December 14, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "WATCH: Trump calls deadly shooting at Brown University 'a terrible thing' and 'a shame'". PBS News. Associated Press. December 13, 2025. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  37. ^ Rotondo, Irene (December 14, 2025). "'Unthinkable': Brown University shooting condemned by Trump and New England Patriots". MassLive. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  38. ^ "Sympathy for the Brown University Community". Cornell University.
  39. ^ "With Sympathy and Support for Brown University Community". American Mathematical Society.
  40. ^ "Important Updates for Our Community". Columbia University.
  41. ^ "Person of interest in Brown University shooting was taken into custody at Hampton Inn in Coventry, R.I. Follow live updates". The Boston Globe. December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  42. ^ Allen, Bailey (December 14, 2025). "'We knew it could happen anywhere': Providence mayor speaks on Brown shooting, Sandy Hook". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
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