Brown University Shooting: Two Dead as Gunman Sparks Manhunt During Final Exams

Terror gripped the Ivy League campus of Brown University on Saturday afternoon as a peaceful day of final exams descended into chaos, leaving two people dead and sparking a desperate manhunt for a gunman who remains at large. What was meant to be a quiet period of academic focus in Providence, Rhode Island, was shattered by gunfire, sending students fleeing for their lives and locking down the university in a state of high alert that extended late into the night.

Law enforcement authorities have launched a massive operation to locate the perpetrator behind the deadly attack at the Barus and Holley engineering building. The suspect, captured on chilling surveillance footage fleeing the scene, has been described by police as a male figure clad entirely in black clothing.

As the sun set over the locked-down campus, the unease was palpable, with heavily armed officers patrolling the grounds while students remained barricaded in dormitories and classrooms, waiting for the 'all clear' that had yet to come.

Confusion and Panic During the Brown University Shooting Manhunt

The timeline of the tragedy suggests a calculated attack during a vulnerable moment for the student body. The unidentified gunman breached the engineering facility at approximately 16:05 local time, just as students were sitting for their crucial end-of-term examinations.

Compounding the terror was a harrowing period of confusion regarding the suspect's status. In the immediate aftermath of the violence, relief briefly washed over the community when university officials issued a notification stating a suspect was in custody.

However, that hope was cruelly snatched away moments later. Authorities were forced to retract the statement, confirming that the initial report was erroneous and that the gunman — or potentially multiple shooters — had evaded capture.

This reversal plunged the campus back into a state of acute anxiety. A corrected alert issued through Brown's emergency notification system warned that police were still actively scouring the area for the suspect.

The university administration released a sombre statement addressing the fluid and dangerous situation: 'We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of two deceased victims from the active shooting situation at the Barus and Holley engineering building'.

The statement continued, highlighting the severity of the injuries sustained by survivors: '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'.

'The Unthinkable Has Happened' in Brown University Shooting Tragedy

The human toll of the violence is staggering. Alongside the two tragic fatalities, eight individuals are fighting for recovery in hospital. While they are listed in critical condition, medical staff have reported they are currently stable, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed the collective shock of the state, remarking that 'the unthinkable has happened.' The governor confirmed his office has been in direct contact with the White House, ensuring federal resources are available to assist local law enforcement in their hunt for the man in black.

Brown University Provost Frank Doyle confirmed the heartbreaking context of the attack, noting that final exams were actively taking place in the engineering building when the shooter opened fire. The juxtaposition of an exam hall — a place of quiet concentration — turning into a crime scene has left the community reeling.

As the manhunt continues into the night, authorities have released footage showing the suspect exiting the campus shortly after the shots rang out. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward immediately, while the shelter-in-place order remains strictly in effect.

For the students and staff of Brown University, the wait for safety and answers continues in the shadow of a truly horrific day.

Originally published on IBTimes UK