Police in Providence, Rhode Island, say the suspect is a male in dark clothing who was last seen leaving an engineering building where the shooting happened.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Authorities are a searching for a shooter who killed at least two people and wounded eight others at Brown University on Saturday during final exams on the Ivy League campus.
Officers were hunting through campus buildings and sifting through trash cans more than three hours after the shooting erupted.
Police in Providence, Rhode Island, say the suspect is a male in dark clothing who was last seen leaving an engineering building where the shooting happened.
The mayor says a shelter-in-place is in effect for the area and people living near the campus are encouraged to stay inside or not return home until it is lifted.
Here is a timeline of events as the university alerted students and staff (All times Eastern):
4:22 p.m. — The university alerted the campus to an active shooter:
There’s an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering. Lock doors, silence phones and stay stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information.
5:11 p.m. — Brown University issues a correction after initially saying a suspect was in custody and urged everyone to continue to shelter in place.
Continue to shelter in place. Remain away from Barus & Holley area. Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s). Brown coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies on site. Emergency medical on scene. Stay tuned for further safety information.
5:27 p.m. — There are reports of shots fired near Governor Street. (NOTE: This was later determined to be unfounded.)
Report of shots fired near Governor street. Continue to shelter in place. Stay clear. Law enforcement responding.
5:52 p.m. — The university asks people to continue to shelter in place as law enforcement worked to clear the area.
6:05 p.m. — Brown University releases an initial statement on the shooting. The university confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims and some being taken to local hospitals.
The statement reads in part:
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.
6:10 p.m. — The university updates the reports of a secondary shooting near Governor Street was unfounded but asks people to continue to shelter in place.
6:33 p.m. — Brown University updates that two people were killed in the shooting at the Barus & Holley engineering building. Eight additional victims were said to be in critical but stable condition.
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.
Potential witnesses were urged to contact police.
7:30 p.m. — People were reminded to continue to shelter in place.
7:38 p.m. — Brown University President Christina H. Paxson released a statement about the shooting.
“This is a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community. There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building,” Paxson’s statement read.
Paxson promised to continue to provide updates as soon as they could.
“This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. It is deeply devastating for all of us. We are grateful to law enforcement for their immediate response and their ongoing work to ensure the safety of our community. Please continue to take all steps to be safe,” Paxson said at the conclusion of the statement.
8:28 p.m. — The university continues to urge people to shelter in place.
The Brown campus continues to be in lockdown, and it is imperative that all members of our community remain sheltered in place. This means keeping all doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus. The law enforcement response remains ongoing. Safety is the utmost and essential priority.
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