At least 2 students dead, 9 wounded after mass shooting at Brown University; manhunt underway for gunman

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

At least two students were killed, and nine other students were wounded in a mass shooting Saturday at Brown University in Rhode Island.

School officials confirmed the shooting took place at about 4 p.m. inside a classroom in the Barus and Holley engineering building on Hope Street.

Authorities are searching for a suspect, described as a man dressed in black, last seen leaving the building on foot, according to Providence Police Deputy Chief Tim O'Hara. Late Saturday, police released surveillance footage of a person matching the alleged gunman's description walking near campus.

No weapons were found at the scene, officials said.

As of early Sunday morning, the campus is on lockdown and a shelter-in-place order remains in effect until authorities say otherwise, according to Brown University President Christina Paxson.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ON LOCKDOWN AFTER REPORTED DORM SHOOTING ON CAMPUS

Paxson said early Sunday morning in a statement on the school's website that all victims of the shooting are students and described Saturday as a "day of tremendous sorrow."

"I can confirm that the nine members of our community who were transported to local hospitals are all students. And we lost two students to today’s devastating gun violence. Our hearts go out to them," she wrote. "This is a day of tremendous sorrow. No parent or family member should ever have to endure a day like this."

She also provided updates on the nine students who were hospitalized, stating that six remain in critical but stable condition, one in critical condition and another in stable condition. One student has already been released from the hospital.

"Our full focus right now is on our community, their safety and providing support for the victims and their families. I am not able to share further information about the shooting victims at this time," Paxson wrote.

FBI Boston confirmed it is assisting law enforcement partners in Rhode Island with any and all available resources, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support and victim assistance.

"FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University and we will provide all capabilities necessary," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote in a statement on X. "Please pray for all those involved."

Local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also assisting. Officials confirmed more than 400 officers were on campus at the Ivy League university.

School officials said they are working to determine who was in the building at the time of the shooting since there were multiple final exams scheduled in the building from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The outer doors were unlocked due to the ongoing exams, according to authorities.

COLLEGE CAMPUSES FEAR OUTSIDERS ‘HELL-BENT ON CREATING HAVOC’ IN SURGE OF VIOLENCE TARGETING STUDENTS: EXPERT

Local resident Elias Christian described the situation as "scary" to Fox News Digital reporter Andrea Margolis, who was at the scene.

"I've not heard of anything like this happening to this scale," said Christian, who lives only a few blocks from where the shooting occurred. "This is known as a safe part of the city. … We're basically on Brown's campus. This is the heart of Brown."

Brown University, the Providence Police Department and Rhode Island State Police did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

President Donald Trump told the media following the Army-Navy football game he had been briefed on the shooting.

"What a terrible thing it is," Trump said. "All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt it looks like. ... We'll inform you later as to what's happening, but it's a shame. Let's just pray."

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee reacted to the shooting during a news conference, saying, "The unthinkable has happened."

The private institution has more than 11,000 students, with 100% of first-year undergraduates living on campus.

The Barus and Holley engineering building, where the shooting took place, contains both classrooms and lab space. Students were either taking final exams or reviewing materials for upcoming final exams when the gunshots rang out.

Paxson said final exams scheduled for Sunday will not be taking place and further details about "academic matters" will be released on Sunday morning.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Providence is a coastal city about 50 miles south of Boston.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.

She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.