Around 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, a shooter opened fire inside the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, during a period when exams and study groups were scheduled. Providence officials and university leaders say two people were killed and nine others were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with varying injuries; one of the nine was treated for fragments rather than a direct gunshot. A massive manhunt for a suspect described in dark clothing was under way as campus and nearby neighborhoods remained locked down for hours.
Key Takeaways
- Fatalities: Two people were killed in the shooting at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building on Dec. 13, 2025.
- Injuries: Nine individuals were transported to Rhode Island Hospital—one in critical condition, six listed as critical but stable, and two in stable condition.
- Timeline: Police received the active-shooter call at about 4:05 p.m.; multiple exams were scheduled in the building between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Suspect description: Authorities say the person believed to be the suspect wore dark clothing in released footage; eyewitnesses reported a camouflage mask but that detail is unconfirmed.
- Response: More than 400 officers were deployed to the area to assist with the investigation and secure the campus perimeter.
- Video evidence: Officials announced they would release video showing the suspect leaving the Barus & Holley building; the suspect’s face is not visible in the footage.
- Initial confusion: The university briefly reported a suspect was in custody and later retracted that statement after further confirmation.
Background
Brown University, an Ivy League campus in Providence, holds many exams and gatherings in its engineering complex; on Dec. 13 the Barus & Holley building hosted scheduled exams and at least one study group, which law enforcement says may be where the shooting occurred. Campus buildings were unlocked for the academic activity, a fact officials note as relevant to how someone may have been able to enter the space. University leaders and local officials—Mayor Brett Smiley among them—immediately activated shelter-in-place notifications and urged students and residents to lock doors and remain inside as officers canvassed the area.
The shooting follows a period of heightened concern about campus safety nationwide and will prompt renewed scrutiny of security protocols during exams and other high-traffic academic events. Brown President Christina H. Paxson called the incident “deeply tragic” and mobilized support resources for students and families. Governor Dan McKee visited the scene and pledged state support, saying authorities would pursue the individual responsible and coordinating with federal partners including the FBI.
Main Event
Police say the initial call reporting an active shooter near the engineering building came in around 4:05 p.m., and campus alert systems advised sheltering in place. Providence Police Department Deputy Chief Timothy O’Hara told reporters late Saturday that the shooting occurred inside a first-floor classroom, but officials could not immediately confirm whether victims were taking an exam at the time.
Witnesses reported seeing a person exit the Barus & Holley building wearing dark clothing; the mayor said police would publish video showing the individual leaving through the building. Some eyewitness accounts claimed the suspect fled on foot via the Hope Street exit and may have worn a camouflage mask, though investigators have not corroborated the mask detail.
Emergency responders converged on Waterman and Hope streets; the campus remained largely locked down for hours while officers secured perimeters and searched neighboring blocks. At one point university communications indicated a separate report of a second shooting near Governor Street, but that was later determined to be unfounded. Authorities also clarified an earlier statement that suggested a suspect was in custody, saying that preliminary identification did not lead to any arrests.
Analysis & Implications
The shooting raises immediate questions about campus access and emergency procedures when multiple examinations are underway. Open building access for scheduled academic activity can complicate rapid lockdowns, and institutions will likely reassess lock-and-access policies for future exam sessions. Brown’s response—rapid alerts and shelter-in-place orders—aligns with standard active-shooter protocols but will be examined against timelines of detection, notification and police arrival.
Locally, the deployment of more than 400 officers underscores the scale of the response and the priority given to securing the university and surrounding neighborhoods. That scale also creates logistical challenges: coordinating searches, sharing information across agencies, and managing community communications to avoid confusion, as seen with the brief, incorrect statement about an arrest. Investigators will examine surveillance footage, witness accounts and entry points to determine how the shooter entered and escaped.
Politically and socially, the incident is likely to intensify debates over campus safety, firearm access and mental-health resources for students. Federal involvement—reported communications between Governor McKee, the president and the FBI director—signals that federal investigative resources and interagency cooperation will play roles in the search and evidence collection. In the longer term, university administrators and local policymakers may face pressure to revise security measures and invest in preventive programs to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | This Incident (Dec. 13, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Wounded (hospitalized) | 9 (one from fragments) |
| Reported time of initial call | 4:05 p.m. |
| Officers deployed | 400+ |
This table summarizes confirmed figures disclosed by officials as of the night of Dec. 13. Investigators will update counts and timelines as they process footage and hospital intake logs. Comparing these immediate data points to past campus incidents highlights the variability in casualty totals and the central role of rapid notification and first-responder coordination in limiting harm.
Reactions & Quotes
State and university leaders addressed the press and the campus community to convey support and outline the response. Governor Dan McKee spoke from the scene, promising state resources and cooperation with federal investigators.
“The unthinkable has happened.”
Gov. Dan McKee (Rhode Island)
The university president sent letters to students and families and described the community’s grief while confirming that initial victims were university community members. Local officials described steps to locate the suspect and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“We are doing all we can to keep our community safe and have mobilized support for the students and their families.”
Christina H. Paxson, Brown University President
The president of the United States and federal law-enforcement leadership were briefed; the FBI was reported to be on the scene to assist the local investigation.
“What a terrible thing it is, and all we can do right now is pray for the victims.”
President Donald J. Trump
Unconfirmed
- Witness claims that the shooter wore a camouflage mask have not been corroborated by officials or clearly identified in released footage.
- The exact point of entry to the Barus & Holley building is not yet confirmed; officials have noted doors were unlocked because exams were underway.
- Police have not publicly confirmed recovery of a firearm or the weapon type as of the last briefing.
Bottom Line
The Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University left two people dead and nine hospitalized, prompted a large-scale multiagency manhunt and left the campus and nearby neighborhoods in lockdown for hours. Officials have released footage of a person believed to be the suspect leaving the building in dark clothing, but key details—including motive, precise entry route and whether the victims were in an exam—remain under investigation.
Investigators and university leaders face immediate tasks: identifying and locating the suspect, supporting victims and families, and reviewing campus access and alert procedures to reduce vulnerability during periods of dense academic activity. The case will also factor into broader discussions about campus security policy, interagency coordination and preventive measures across higher education institutions.
Sources
- ABC News — national news outlet reporting on the incident (Dec. 13, 2025)
- Brown University — official university statements and community communications (official)
- Providence Police Department — municipal law enforcement updates (official)
- Rhode Island Hospital — treating hospital reporting patient conditions (medical institution)