Multiple people were shot Saturday, December 13, 2025, in the area of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, prompting an emergency alert from the university and a large police response near campus buildings and nearby streets. Officials described the situation as active and ongoing Saturday evening, with investigators still working to confirm the full scope of what happened and who was responsible.
The incident unfolded during Brown’s final exam period, when many students were studying and moving between academic buildings and off-campus housing. As law enforcement secured the area, the university urged the campus community to shelter in place and follow safety instructions.
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Where the shooting was reported
Authorities and university alerts indicated the initial report centered near the Barus & Holley engineering building, an academic facility associated with engineering and physics. Police also responded to reports of shots fired near Governor Street, a few blocks away, which includes off-campus residential areas where many students live.
Providence Police and Fire reported a heavy presence near Hope Street, and officials told people to avoid the area while the response continued.
What officials said about victims and conditions
Police confirmed that multiple people were shot. As of Saturday evening, officials had not publicly released the number of victims, their identities, or the extent of injuries. Authorities also did not immediately provide details about how the shooting began or what led up to it.
Because the investigation was still developing, officials cautioned that early information could change as they verified reports and gathered evidence.
Suspect status: confusion early, then clarification
A key point of confusion Saturday involved whether a suspect was in custody.
Early university messaging indicated a person was in custody. Later updates clarified that no suspect had been detained and that police were still searching. By Saturday evening, authorities continued to treat the situation as active, with a focus on locating the person responsible.
During fast-moving emergencies, initial reports can be incomplete or incorrect. Officials emphasized that confirmed updates would come through law enforcement and university emergency communications as they verified information.
Campus alerts and safety instructions
The university’s emergency messages instructed students and staff to take immediate protective steps, including:
- Shelter in place
- Lock doors
- Silence phones
- Stay hidden until further notice
These directions are consistent with standard active-threat guidance intended to reduce exposure and help first responders manage a rapidly evolving scene.
Even after the custody message was corrected, the shelter-in-place guidance remained in effect in subsequent updates while police continued searching and securing the area.
Law enforcement response around Brown and nearby streets
Providence police, campus public safety personnel, and emergency medical responders converged on the area around the reported locations. The response included scene security, searches in the surrounding neighborhood, and coordination with other agencies.
Federal law enforcement also joined the broader response effort to support local authorities, according to official statements shared during the evening.
As the perimeter and search areas shifted, authorities urged the public to avoid the neighborhood around campus so emergency vehicles could move quickly and officers could complete searches without interference.
Impact on campus during finals
The shooting occurred during Brown’s final exam period, which began Friday. Students reported being in study spaces and academic buildings when alerts went out, adding urgency to the university’s instructions to shelter in place.
While the university worked with law enforcement, many campus routines paused as officials prioritized safety and scene control. University operations, including exams and events, can be adjusted quickly in emergencies, but as of Saturday evening, officials had not released a complete schedule of changes.
Community and leadership reaction
Rhode Island’s governor said the state was monitoring the situation and urged residents to stay clear of the area and follow official updates.
President Donald Trump also commented publicly Saturday evening, saying he had been briefed on the incident. His statement included an assertion about a suspect being in custody; however, university updates and police statements later indicated that a suspect had not been detained at that time.
What remains unconfirmed
As of late Saturday, several critical details had not been officially confirmed, including:
- The exact number of people injured
- Whether victims were students, staff, or others nearby
- A motive or circumstances leading to the shooting
- A confirmed suspect identity or description
- Whether the incident involved one shooter or more than one person
Investigators typically release these details only after verification, especially in cases involving multiple scenes or reports across nearby streets.
What to watch for next
In the hours and days following incidents like this, authorities usually provide additional updates in stages. The next confirmed information often includes:
- A public safety update about ongoing risk
- Confirmation of victim counts and conditions
- Clarification of locations involved and timeline
- Suspect description, arrest information, or a request for public tips
- Statements about campus operations and available support resources
For now, officials have emphasized safety, scene control, and verification before releasing broader conclusions.
shooting brown university and the developing investigation
The shooting brown university incident remained an active, developing investigation Saturday evening, with police continuing to search for the person responsible and officials urging the public to avoid the area. As new confirmed details are released, the public picture of what happened near campus is expected to become clearer.