US News: Brown University Rocked by Deadly Shooting: 2 Dead, 9 Injured During Exams

Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution in Providence, USA, was tragically transformed into. A scene of bloodshed when an assailant unleashed a barrage of gunfire during final examinations. The horrific incident resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left nine others wounded. University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all ten people who sustained gunshot wounds were students. The attack, which occurred on a Saturday afternoon, plunged the entire university campus and the surrounding affluent neighborhood of historic, grand brick homes into hours of chaos and terror. Police and investigative teams swiftly responded to the scene, conducting an extensive search of academic buildings and arcades late into the night.

The Horrific Incident Unfolds

The assault took place while students were engaged in crucial final exams within the engineering department. The sudden eruption of gunfire shattered the tranquil academic atmosphere, replacing it with screams and pandemonium. A black-clad shooter indiscriminately fired shots inside the Barus and Holley building, a seven-story complex housing the School of Engineering and the Physics department, while this building, a hub of academic activity, contains over 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms, and offices. The loud noises of the gunfire were initially mistaken by Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student working on a final project in the building's lobby, as mere loud sounds from the eastern side, while however, she quickly realized they were gunshots, prompting her to race towards the door and flee to a nearby building, where she remained hidden for several hours, fearing for her life.

Victims and Their Plight

The nine individuals injured in the shooting were immediately transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Kelly Brennan, a hospital spokesperson, reported that one of the injured was in critical condition, while six required intensive care. Despite the severity of their injuries, their conditions weren't deteriorating, while two other injured individuals were reported to be stable. This tragedy has deeply saddened the Brown community and the city of Providence, where the usually bustling streets on a weekend were eerily quiet and deserted in the aftermath of the event.

The Elusive Suspect and Ongoing Search

Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy O'Hara provided a detailed description of the suspect. He stated that the suspect was a male, dressed in dark clothing,. And was last seen exiting the engineering building where the attack occurred. However, his face wasn't visible. Some witnesses described the suspect as being approximately 30 years old and wearing an unsettling mask. Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun. Investigators are still trying to ascertain how the shooter managed to enter the first-floor classroom, especially since rooms used for final exams typically required badge access, while mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that the building's exterior doors were unlocked, raising significant questions about security protocols. Following the shooting, the entire university campus was gripped by panic and chaos.

Authorities promptly issued a 'shelter-in-place' order, advising individuals near the campus to remain indoors or not return home until the order was lifted. Alex Bruce, a senior biochemistry student at Brown, who was working on his final research project in his dorm directly opposite the building, heard sirens outside and received an active shooter text message after 4 PM. He expressed his profound fear, stating he was trembling. Eva Erickson, a PhD candidate and a finalist on the CBS reality competition show “Survivor,” recounted that she had left her lab in the engineering building just 15 minutes before the shooting. After the incident, she was in lockdown at the campus gym and shared on. Social media that the only other member of her lab had been safely evacuated.

Intensified Investigation and Security Questions

Approximately five hours after the shooting, officers in tactical gear began escorting students out of some campus buildings and to the fitness center. University officials initially informed students and staff that a suspect was in custody, but later clarified that this wasn't the case, while the Mayor stated that one individual was initially detained on suspicion of involvement but was later determined to have no connection to the incident. This tragedy raises serious questions about security measures on university campuses, particularly how an assailant could so easily gain entry to an academic building and perpetrate such a devastating act. Police are making every possible effort to locate the suspect, hoping to apprehend him soon to uncover the motives behind this horrific event.