Brown University, an esteemed Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, found itself at the center of a devastating incident when a gunman opened fire on its campus. Tragically, at least two individuals lost their lives, and eight others were wounded in this harrowing event.

The university remains under strict lockdown as authorities search for the shooter, who is still at large. The violent episode unfolded on Saturday evening, sending shockwaves through the academic community and beyond.

During a press conference, officials confirmed the somber toll: two fatalities and eight critically injured victims who required immediate medical attention. The shooting occurred near the Barus and Holley Engineering building, an area that soon became a scene of panic and confusion.

Brown University issued an alert to its community at 4:22 p.m. local time, warning of the unfolding danger. By 5:11 p.m., an update clarified that the suspect remained at large, contradicting earlier reports that a suspect had been apprehended.

As the search for the perpetrator continues, the university and local law enforcement are working tirelessly to ensure safety and bring the responsible party to justice. The situation remains fluid, and updates are being provided as more information becomes available.

Police said at the press conference that the suspect opened fire inside the engineering building, and had fled the scene by the time officers arrived and swept the scene.

The suspect is described only as a ‘male in black clothing’, and remains at large.  

Conflicting reports from the chaotic scene also claimed a secondary shooting occurred blocks away from the campus around an hour after the initial shooting. Brown University said in an update that those reports were ‘unfounded.’ 

A heavy law enforcement response descended on the campus, and the Trump administration said FBI and ATF agents were on the scene.  

A shooter targeted Brown University on Saturday

A large law enforcement response was seen at the scene soon after shots were reportedly fired at the campus 

The Daily Mail approached Brown University and Providence Police for comment. 

Students have been urged to remain sheltered in place amid conflicting reports that the suspect was in custody, which were later walked back by officials. 

The shooting unfolded as students were taking their final exams, local media outlets said.  

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social he had been briefed on the shooting and the FBI were on the scene. 

The president initially said a suspect was in custody, but walked back his statement and said in a follow up post: ‘The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.’ 

Law enforcement sources told CNN that the confusion over reports of a second shooting were sparked by a ‘confrontation’ with an individual blocks away from the campus, which resulted in gunfire. 

The police source said that the connection between the incident and the suspected shooter is uncertain, but the incident was the reason for conflicting reports that a suspect was in custody.  

Images showed students sheltering in place as the Brown University campus was plunged into lockdown 

Students were told to ‘RUN, HIDE AND FIGHT’ as the active shooter alerts were issued

In an update from the university at 5:11pm, officials said that a suspect was not in custody and police are continuing to search for the shooter. Officials previously reported that a suspect was in custody earlier in the evening

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social he had been briefed on the shooting and the FBI were on the scene. The President appeared to reference earlier reports that the suspect was in custody, and later walked back the statement 

Daya said the Brown campus area is known as a quiet, safe community, and hoped such a tragedy would ‘never come’ to those affected. 

‘Now it’s over here… it’s very scary because I don’t want to get harmed and I don’t want my people in my state to get harmed,’ he said. 

Witnesses told WJAR that a huge law enforcement response descended on the scene, and they saw first responders performing CPR on at least three victims. 

‘I started seeing a bunch of cars going towards the scene and I saw someone on the ground, unfortunately. It looked like they were getting CPR,’ said Providence resident Jib Daya. 

‘I saw about two people getting carried away on the stretcher.’ 

The shooting marks more than 70 school shootings this year, per the Gun Violence Archive. 

This is a developing story and will be updated as information is confirmed.