Deadly Shooting at Brown University Leaves Two Dead, Multiple Injured

A mass shooting on the campus of the prestigious Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, has shocked the nation, prompting an intense law enforcement response and renewed debates on campus safety.

A deadly shooting erupted at Brown University on Saturday evening, December 13, 2025, resulting in two students killed and nine others wounded. The incident took place inside the engineering building around 4 p.m., according to authorities.

Providence police quickly responded to reports of an active shooter, securing the campus and initiating a search for the suspect. Early Sunday morning, law enforcement announced that a person of interest had been taken into custody. The individual, described as being in their 30s, was detained at a hotel in nearby Coventry, Rhode Island.

BREAKING UPDATE: At least two people killed and eight others critically injured in Brown University shooting, Providence mayor says, as search for suspect continues. Follow live updates: https://t.co/cnnlink

— CNN (@CNN) December 13, 2025

Law enforcement at the scene of the Brown University shooting. (Embedded tweet: CNN via X/@CNN)

Officials have not yet released details about the motive or whether the person in custody has any affiliation with the university. The investigation involves local police, state authorities, and federal agencies, including the FBI.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges universities face in preventing such tragedies on campus.

Brown University, located in Providence, is one of the nation’s oldest and most selective institutions, known for its open curriculum and strong programs in engineering and sciences. The shooting occurred in one of its key academic buildings, disrupting what is typically a quiet weekend on campus during the holiday season.

In the immediate aftermath, students were escorted to safety by law enforcement, and the university issued alerts urging people to shelter in place. By Sunday, campus operations remained affected as investigators processed the scene.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the media on Sunday, noting that he had visited hospitalized victims. He highlighted the preparedness of students, with one reportedly crediting high school active shooter drills for helping during the chaos.

FBI Director Kash Patel provided an update on the agency’s involvement, noting that advanced cellular tracking helped locate and detain a person of interest early Sunday morning, while extensive resources are being dedicated to scene analysis, evidence processing, public media intake, and support for victims, with a full commitment to pursuing the case relentlessly.

An update on the @FBI response at Brown University:

@FBIBoston established a command post to intake, develop and analyze leads, and run them to ground.

We activated the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, to provide critical geolocation capabilities.

As a result, early this morning, FBI Boston’s Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the @USMarshalsHQ & the @Coventry_RI_PD, detained a person of interest in a hotel room in Coventry, RI, based off a lead by the @ProvidenceRIPD.

We have deployed local and national resources to process and reconstruct the shooting scene – providing HQ and Lab elements on scene.

We set up a digital media intake portal to ingest images and video from the public related to this incident.

And the FBI’s victim specialists are fully integrating with our partners to provide resources to victims and survivors of this horrific violence.

This FBI will continue an all out 24/7 campaign until justice is fully served.

Thanks to the men and women of the FBI and our partners for their continued teamwork. Please continue praying for the victims and their families – as well as all those at Brown University.

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 14, 2025

Images shared in FBI Director Kash Patel’s update on the Brown University shooting investigation. (Embedded tweet: @FBIDirectorKash via X)

The shooting adds to a grim tally of gun violence in the United States. Reports indicate hundreds of mass shootings have occurred in 2025 alone, with thousands of lives lost to firearm-related incidents.

University officials have promised counseling and support services for the community in the coming days. Classes and events are likely to be impacted as the campus grapples with the trauma.

This incident comes amid broader national discussions on gun control, mental health resources, and security measures at educational institutions. Lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the debate have often pointed to campus shootings as pivotal moments for policy changes.

Details continue to emerge as authorities piece together the events leading up to the shooting. The person of interest’s background and potential connections are under scrutiny, with more information expected in upcoming briefings.

Communities across the country have expressed solidarity with Brown University, with vigils and messages of support pouring in. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of such violence and its profound impact on academic environments.

As the investigation progresses, questions about prevention and response will undoubtedly intensify. For now, the focus remains on the victims, their families, and the healing process for the Brown community.