The university is also commissioning an external after-action review. Independent specialists will examine campus safety conditions before the shooting, preparedness measures in place on the day of the incident and the effectiveness of the emergency response that followed. The findings are expected to inform future policy changes and infrastructure upgrades.
Federal investigation under the Clery Act
On the same day Brown announced its internal steps, the U.S. Department of Education said its Office of Federal Student Aid has opened an investigation into possible violations of Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act, commonly known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. The law requires institutions that receive federal student aid to maintain detailed crime statistics, issue timely safety alerts and outline security procedures in an annual report.
In a statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the department will examine whether Brown “vigilantly maintained campus security” and met its legal obligations to protect students. The department has authority to impose monetary penalties and mandate corrective actions if violations are confirmed.
Further information on the Clery Act’s requirements can be found on the U.S. Department of Education’s official guidance page.
Comprehensive safety assessment
In addition to the after-action report, Brown will undertake a broader security assessment that covers policies, training, building access controls, video surveillance and other safety technology. The review will build on changes already underway, though the university has not specified a completion date.
Oversight of both the after-action review and the wider security audit will rest with a committee of the Corporation of Brown University, the institution’s governing body. The committee will select outside firms to perform the analyses and has committed to sharing key findings with the campus community and the public.
Imagem: Internet
Context of the December shooting
According to university officials, the 13 December shooting occurred near the intersection of Waterman Street and Thayer Street during evening hours when students were gathered at several nearby venues. Local police said the gunman, who had no known affiliation with Brown, opened fire into the crowd before fleeing. An extensive manhunt ended four days later when the suspect was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Providence residence. Authorities have not released a motive.
The two fatalities were both undergraduates in their sophomore year. Amurzokov majored in applied mathematics, while Cook studied molecular biology. University counselors and chaplains have provided support services, and memorial events are expected to be scheduled once students return in January.
Next steps
Brown has not indicated how long Chatman will remain on leave, nor has the university commented on potential disciplinary measures pending the outcome of the internal and federal reviews. Paxson said campus operations remain normal, with security patrols increased and building entry restrictions tightened.
Federal investigators have begun collecting documents related to Brown’s Clery Act reporting, emergency notification records and security protocols. A timeline for the Department of Education’s findings has not been provided, but similar reviews at other institutions have ranged from several months to more than a year.
As both inquiries proceed, university officials say that any recommended changes will be implemented “promptly and transparently” to prevent future incidents. Students are encouraged to monitor official channels for real-time safety updates and to participate in upcoming town hall meetings once classes resume.
Crédito da imagem: Mark Stockwell/AP; Bing Guan/AFP via Getty Images
