By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/live-updates-deadly-shooting-at-brown-university Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Live updates: Deadly shooting at Brown University Nation Updated on Dec 14, 2025 5:49 PM EST — Published on Dec 14, 2025 7:39 AM EST Police in Rhode Island say they have a person of interest in custody after a shooting at Brown University killed two students and wounded nine others. READ MORE: Person of interest in custody over Brown University deadly shooting, police say The incident happened Saturday afternoon in a classroom during final exams. The shooting paralyzed the campus, with students sheltering in place for hours. Nine students with gunshot wounds were taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition. One student was later released, said university President Christina Paxson. An FBI agent says the arrest took place at a hotel in Coventry, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence. Here’s the latest: 5:49 p.m. EST Person of interest is from Wisconsin, officials say The person of interest is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. — by Mike Balsamo and Eric Tucker Vigil held to remember victims City leaders, residents and others gathered at a Providence park Sunday evening to honor the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. “For those who know at least bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, there’s nothing better that we can be doing,” Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference earlier in the day. Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. One told him that active shooting drills done in high school proved helpful. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me, is frankly pretty overwhelming,” he said. People attend a candlelit vigil at Lippitt Memorial Park, following a shooting at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, Dec. 14, 2025. Photo by Kylie Cooper/Reuters 3:45 p.m. EST A K-12 school in North Carolina confirms a recent graduate is among the wounded Durham Academy, a private school in Durham, said in a statement that Kendall Turner was in critical but stable condition, and that her parents were with her. “Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead,” the school said. One of the firearms recovered from the person of interest was equipped with a laser sight, a law enforcement official says The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The green laser projects a visible dot onto whatever the gun is aimed at, a feature commonly used to aid targeting. — by Alanna Durkin Richer Shooter fired more than 40 rounds in a classroom The shooter opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building using a 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. — by Alanna Durkin Richer 2:07 p.m. EST Sandy Hook Promise group releases statement A group that works to end gun violence has issued a statement in support of the victims of the shooting at Brown University. The statement was released Saturday by Sandy Hook Promise. “Thirteen years ago today, 26 precious lives were stolen at Sandy Hook Elementary. It was an attack that could have been prevented if the warning signs had been taken seriously. Now, the Brown University community has been shaken by this same kind of nightmare, students shot and killed in their classroom,” the statement said. “The fact that these college students were elementary school students in 2012 underscores the sobering truth: an entire generation of youth in America has grown up with threats of being shot in a classroom.” 12:18 p.m. EST Investigation progressing ‘extremely fast’ Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez did not give any details about the progress of the investigation except to say it was progressing “extremely fast.” No other information about the progress of the investigation was released at a noon press conference in Providence. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor said he visited victims in the hospital. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me was frankly overwhelming,” Mayor Brett Smiley said. Authorities still haven’t recovered a gun Armed with a handgun, the shooter fired more than 40 9 mm rounds, according to a law enforcement official. Authorities as of Sunday morning hadn’t recovered a gun but did recover two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. — by Alanna Durkin Richer The semester’s remaining classes, exams are canceled Classes and exams have been canceled. University officials also said students are free to leave. Those who remain on campus will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement. “At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle wrote. Senate Democrat criticizes GOP leaders over gun policy Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, one of the leading Democratic voices on gun policy, said Sunday that the prospects of new restrictions on firearms were “slim.” “As we know right now, unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress don’t ever meaningfully break from this president,” Murphy said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” arguing that Trump and the GOP were too aligned with the gun lobby. Murphy added: “That doesn’t mean I won’t try.” 7:22 a.m. EST Shooting suspect may have been wearing camouflage mask A monitor shows security camera footage of what police say is the Brown University shooting suspect walking along Hope Street after leaving the scene of shooting, in this screengrab taken from a \video released Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Providence Public Information Officer/Handout via Reuters The suspect in the deadly Brown University shooting may have also been wearing a camouflage gray mask, Providence, Rhode Island, Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara says. That’s according to witnesses. READ MORE: Person of interest in custody over Brown University deadly shooting, police say O’Hara says the suspect is male and could be in his 30s. The shooting happened inside of a classroom. Brown University President Christina Paxson says she has been told all the victims are students, but she was not yet sure about the latest victim announced. Providence mayor says one other victim was injured Mayor Smiley said the ninth victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. Student in building heard loud pops from the lobby A law enforcement officer stands outside 339 Thayer St where fellow law enforcement officers assess the scene inside, after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the Barus & Holley lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops coming from the eastern side of the building. For a moment, everyone turned their heads and stood still, she recalled. Once Ferraro processed that they were gunshots, she darted for the door and ran for a nearby building where she has been sheltering for a couple hours. She said over text that she’s eagerly awaiting updates and nervous to learn details about the injuries. She can hear helicopters flying overhead and emergency vehicles nearby. Suspect was dressed in black The suspect in the deadly Brown University shooting is a man who was dressed in black and last seen leaving the engineering building, according to Timothy O’Hara, Providence, Rhode Island, deputy chief of police. WATCH: Trump calls deadly shooting at Brown University ‘a terrible thing’ and ‘a shame’ The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement. Brown University shooting happened during final exams Brown University Provost Frank Doyle said final exams were taking place in the engineering building Saturday afternoon when a shooter opened fire, killing two and critically injuring eight. Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Brett Smiley asked for prayers for the families of the victims, noting the coming Christmas holiday. “It’s going to be a difficult rest of the day, difficult days and months ahead as this community heals,” the mayor said. The mayor declined to say whether the victims were students. Rhode Island governor: ‘The unthinkable has happened’ People hug outside the Nelson Fitness Center after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said “the unthinkable has happened” following a shooting Saturday at Brown University that left two dead and eight critically wounded. McKee said his office has been in touch with the White House. Mayor says 2 killed, 8 critical following Brown shooting Law enforcement officers stand outside the Nelson Fitness Center after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Two people were killed and eight are in critical but stable condition following a shooting at Brown university, the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, said. Mayor Brett Smiley said those are the only known injuries and casualties. The mayor said a shooter is not in custody. A shelter-in-place is in effect for the greater Brown University area. At least 2 killed in Brown University shooting, AP source At least two people have been killed and several others injured in a shooting at Brown University on Saturday, a law enforcement source told The Associated Press. The official could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Brown’s emergency notification system. -Alanna Durkin Richer A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Police in Rhode Island say they have a person of interest in custody after a shooting at Brown University killed two students and wounded nine others. READ MORE: Person of interest in custody over Brown University deadly shooting, police say The incident happened Saturday afternoon in a classroom during final exams. The shooting paralyzed the campus, with students sheltering in place for hours. Nine students with gunshot wounds were taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition. One student was later released, said university President Christina Paxson. An FBI agent says the arrest took place at a hotel in Coventry, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence. Here’s the latest: 5:49 p.m. EST Person of interest is from Wisconsin, officials say The person of interest is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. — by Mike Balsamo and Eric Tucker Vigil held to remember victims City leaders, residents and others gathered at a Providence park Sunday evening to honor the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. “For those who know at least bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, there’s nothing better that we can be doing,” Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference earlier in the day. Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. One told him that active shooting drills done in high school proved helpful. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me, is frankly pretty overwhelming,” he said. People attend a candlelit vigil at Lippitt Memorial Park, following a shooting at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, Dec. 14, 2025. Photo by Kylie Cooper/Reuters 3:45 p.m. EST A K-12 school in North Carolina confirms a recent graduate is among the wounded Durham Academy, a private school in Durham, said in a statement that Kendall Turner was in critical but stable condition, and that her parents were with her. “Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead,” the school said. One of the firearms recovered from the person of interest was equipped with a laser sight, a law enforcement official says The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The green laser projects a visible dot onto whatever the gun is aimed at, a feature commonly used to aid targeting. — by Alanna Durkin Richer Shooter fired more than 40 rounds in a classroom The shooter opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building using a 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. — by Alanna Durkin Richer 2:07 p.m. EST Sandy Hook Promise group releases statement A group that works to end gun violence has issued a statement in support of the victims of the shooting at Brown University. The statement was released Saturday by Sandy Hook Promise. “Thirteen years ago today, 26 precious lives were stolen at Sandy Hook Elementary. It was an attack that could have been prevented if the warning signs had been taken seriously. Now, the Brown University community has been shaken by this same kind of nightmare, students shot and killed in their classroom,” the statement said. “The fact that these college students were elementary school students in 2012 underscores the sobering truth: an entire generation of youth in America has grown up with threats of being shot in a classroom.” 12:18 p.m. EST Investigation progressing ‘extremely fast’ Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez did not give any details about the progress of the investigation except to say it was progressing “extremely fast.” No other information about the progress of the investigation was released at a noon press conference in Providence. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor said he visited victims in the hospital. “The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me was frankly overwhelming,” Mayor Brett Smiley said. Authorities still haven’t recovered a gun Armed with a handgun, the shooter fired more than 40 9 mm rounds, according to a law enforcement official. Authorities as of Sunday morning hadn’t recovered a gun but did recover two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. — by Alanna Durkin Richer The semester’s remaining classes, exams are canceled Classes and exams have been canceled. University officials also said students are free to leave. Those who remain on campus will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement. “At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle wrote. Senate Democrat criticizes GOP leaders over gun policy Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, one of the leading Democratic voices on gun policy, said Sunday that the prospects of new restrictions on firearms were “slim.” “As we know right now, unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress don’t ever meaningfully break from this president,” Murphy said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” arguing that Trump and the GOP were too aligned with the gun lobby. Murphy added: “That doesn’t mean I won’t try.” 7:22 a.m. EST Shooting suspect may have been wearing camouflage mask A monitor shows security camera footage of what police say is the Brown University shooting suspect walking along Hope Street after leaving the scene of shooting, in this screengrab taken from a \video released Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Providence Public Information Officer/Handout via Reuters The suspect in the deadly Brown University shooting may have also been wearing a camouflage gray mask, Providence, Rhode Island, Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara says. That’s according to witnesses. READ MORE: Person of interest in custody over Brown University deadly shooting, police say O’Hara says the suspect is male and could be in his 30s. The shooting happened inside of a classroom. Brown University President Christina Paxson says she has been told all the victims are students, but she was not yet sure about the latest victim announced. Providence mayor says one other victim was injured Mayor Smiley said the ninth victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. Student in building heard loud pops from the lobby A law enforcement officer stands outside 339 Thayer St where fellow law enforcement officers assess the scene inside, after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the Barus & Holley lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops coming from the eastern side of the building. For a moment, everyone turned their heads and stood still, she recalled. Once Ferraro processed that they were gunshots, she darted for the door and ran for a nearby building where she has been sheltering for a couple hours. She said over text that she’s eagerly awaiting updates and nervous to learn details about the injuries. She can hear helicopters flying overhead and emergency vehicles nearby. Suspect was dressed in black The suspect in the deadly Brown University shooting is a man who was dressed in black and last seen leaving the engineering building, according to Timothy O’Hara, Providence, Rhode Island, deputy chief of police. WATCH: Trump calls deadly shooting at Brown University ‘a terrible thing’ and ‘a shame’ The mayor said a person preliminarily thought to be involved was detained but was later determined to have no involvement. Brown University shooting happened during final exams Brown University Provost Frank Doyle said final exams were taking place in the engineering building Saturday afternoon when a shooter opened fire, killing two and critically injuring eight. Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Brett Smiley asked for prayers for the families of the victims, noting the coming Christmas holiday. “It’s going to be a difficult rest of the day, difficult days and months ahead as this community heals,” the mayor said. The mayor declined to say whether the victims were students. Rhode Island governor: ‘The unthinkable has happened’ People hug outside the Nelson Fitness Center after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said “the unthinkable has happened” following a shooting Saturday at Brown University that left two dead and eight critically wounded. McKee said his office has been in touch with the White House. Mayor says 2 killed, 8 critical following Brown shooting Law enforcement officers stand outside the Nelson Fitness Center after Brown University was locked down amid reports of a shooting on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by Taylor Coester/ Reuters Two people were killed and eight are in critical but stable condition following a shooting at Brown university, the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, said. Mayor Brett Smiley said those are the only known injuries and casualties. The mayor said a shooter is not in custody. A shelter-in-place is in effect for the greater Brown University area. At least 2 killed in Brown University shooting, AP source At least two people have been killed and several others injured in a shooting at Brown University on Saturday, a law enforcement source told The Associated Press. The official could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Brown’s emergency notification system. -Alanna Durkin Richer A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now