In the wake of a tragic mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island this past Saturday, President Donald Trump has called for the public to join him in praying for the victims. The serene campus in Providence was abruptly thrust into chaos as police and emergency responders swarmed the area to handle the crisis.

Authorities held a press conference just before 7 p.m., revealing the somber news that two individuals had lost their lives, with an additional eight people critically injured. The incident prompted a swift lockdown of the university as officials worked to secure the scene and provide aid to those affected.

Returning to the White House later that evening, President Trump addressed the media gathered on the South Lawn. With a grave expression, he reflected on the events, saying, “I’ve been fully briefed on the Brown University situation. What a terrible thing it is. And all we can do right now is to 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. It’s a shame. It’s a shame. Just pray.”

His statement, delivered shortly after stepping off Marine One, underscored the gravity of the situation and the need for unity and compassion during such a harrowing time.

‘I’ve been fully briefed on the Brown University situation. What a terrible thing it is. And all we can do right now is to 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. It’s a shame. It’s a shame. Just pray,’ Trump said in brief remarks having just come off Marine One.

His Vice President JD Vance also took the time to tweet just before 7pm on Saturday evening.

‘Terrible news out of Rhode Island this evening. We’re all monitoring the situation and the FBI stands ready to do anything to help. We’re all thinking of and praying for the victims tonight,’ Vance wrote. 

Trump was quick to offer his prayers for those involved within minutes of the incident occurring and originally claimed the suspect was in custody as law enforcement continued searching the campus amid reports of multiple casualties.

President Donald Trump offered prayers to the victims and their families caught up in the mass casualty event

Trump initially incorrectly posted how the suspect was in custody but then corrected himself

Vice President JD Vance also tweeted his prayers for the victims just before 7pm on Saturday

An initial report suggested the shooter had been caught but that fact was later walked back by police – although it sparked confusion.

‘I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island. The FBI is on the scene,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social. ‘The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims!’ 

The president later corrected his message in a subsequent post.

‘The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody,’ Trump wrote.  

The confusion occurred after the mayor of Providence said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement.

University officials initially then told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case.

Walking across the White House lawn upon his return to the White House on Saturday night, Trump made a statement to waiting reporters.

‘I’ve been fully briefed on the Brown University situation. What a terrible thing it is. And all we can do right now is to 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. It’s a shame. It’s a shame. Just pray,’ Trump said in brief remarks having just come off Marine One.

A shooter targeted Brown University on Saturday afternoon 

Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon

Emergency personnel gather are seen arriving on the scene on Waterman Street at Brown Universit

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

FBI Director Kash Patel said the Bureau was also involved in the hunt for the suspect.

‘FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University and we will provide all capabilities necessary. Please pray for all those involved,’ Patel stated. 

Students at the Ivy League campus in Providence, Rhode Island were earlier urged to ‘run, hide and fight’ after reports of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering building, according to a university alert sent at 4:22 p.m. local time. 

In an earlier update issued at 5:11pm, Brown University officials said a suspect was not in custody and that police were continuing to search for the shooter, walking back earlier reports that someone had been detained. 

About an hour after the initial alert, authorities said shots were also fired on Governor Street, several blocks from campus. 

Much about the incident remained unclear but at least two people have been killed with several others injured according to a law enforcement source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Students were instructed to silence their phones and remain sheltered in place while awaiting further instructions.

Providence mayor Brett Smiley said that the shooter had entered the engineering building as an exam was taking place.

The doors were unlocked and the suspect walked right in, he told CNN.

The suspect has been described as a man wearing black clothing and is still at large, according to officials.

The Sun Chronicle reported that SWAT teams were hunting a suspect and that there were multiple victims. The shooting unfolded as students were taking final exams.

The shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the university’s School of Engineering and physics department. 

According to the university’s website, the building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices. 

Dozens of emergency personnel and emergency vehicles lined the streets around the campus

Police could be seen wearing bullet proof vests as they worked to secure the scene

Ambulances are seen lining Hope Street at Brown University in Providence, close to campus

‘We’re still getting information about what’s going on, but we’re just telling people to lock their doors and to stay vigilant,’ said Providence Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus. 

‘As a Brown alum, someone who loves the Brown community and represents this area, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and the folks who’ve been impacted.’ 

The university released a statement just after 6:30pm on Saturday evening with more details on what had occurred. 

‘At 4:22p,, we alerted our campus to an active shooter incident near Barus & Holley Engineering. We immediately informed our community to shelter in place by locking doors, silencing phones and staying hidden until further notice,’ the university urged.

‘We have been providing further information to our community as and when it becomes available, but this remains an active crime scene, and law enforcement continues to search for the suspect. The situation is ongoing, and all members of the community should continue to shelter in place,’ the statement explained.

Law enforcement officials carry rifles while walking on a street in a neighborhood near Brown 

Emergency personnel step out of a vehicle near Brown University in Providence

Emergency personnel are seen gathering on Waterman Street at Brown University

Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence

Students in the area of where the shooting occurred were advised to either ‘run’ or ‘fight’

Half an hour later, the university released a sad update as it reported the deaths of two people who were hit by the shooting.

‘We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of two deceased victims from the active shooting situation at the Barus & Holley engineering building.

‘There are eight additional victims in critical, but stable condition at the hospital. There remains a shelter in place order. The shooter or shooters still are not in custody at this time. Law enforcement is active in the area.

‘We know there is a lot of fear and concern and uncertainty in the community right now. Law enforcement is actively working to identify the deceased victims, and the hospital personnel also are working to identify those transported to the hospital.

‘As a reminder, please continue to take all steps to remain safe. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel and avoid the area. The safety of our community is foremost.’

The university told how multiple exams had been scheduled in the building where the shooting occurred from 2 pm to 5 pm.

‘We have been and continue to be very grateful to law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. Please continue to take all steps to remain safe. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel and avoid the area,’ the university urged.

The shooting marked more than 70 school shootings nationwide this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.