Medical teams transported the 11 victims to nearby hospitals. Two were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The nine injured individuals remain hospitalized; their conditions range from critical to stable, according to hospital spokespeople.
Student Experience During Lockdown
A Brown University student who spoke with ABC News Live described crouching behind classroom furniture with roughly two dozen classmates while messages instructing everyone to remain silent flashed on their phones. The student said the group stayed in place for more than an hour, periodically checking official alerts for updates. Once police cleared the building, officers escorted the students outside single-file with their hands visible.
Other students reported similar experiences across campus: doors were barricaded, lights were turned off and students used desks and chairs to reinforce entryways until authorities arrived. Many contacted family members via text to confirm their safety while avoiding voice calls that might reveal their location.
Law-Enforcement Response
Campus police coordinated with city officers and federal agents to sweep academic halls, libraries and residence areas. Bomb-sniffing dogs and tactical units searched for potential secondary threats but found none, officials said. Investigators collected shell casings and other physical evidence, and detectives began interviewing dozens of witnesses.
University officials canceled all classes and on-campus events for the remainder of the day. Counseling services were made available at multiple locations, and a dedicated hotline was established for students and employees seeking emotional support.
Ongoing Investigation
While no motive has been announced, detectives are examining the suspect’s background and digital footprint, as well as any connection to the victims. Forensic specialists are analyzing video from security cameras positioned around the shooting site and reviewing electronic access logs to map the shooter’s movements.
Authorities said updates will be released only after information is corroborated. They urged anyone with photos, videos or first-hand observations to share them directly with investigators.
Wider Context
The Brown University incident adds to a series of campus shootings reported nationwide this year, underscoring persistent concerns about higher-education security. Resources on preparing for and responding to active-shooter events are available through the U.S. Department of Justice, which offers guidance for institutions seeking to improve emergency protocols.
University officials said the campus would operate with increased security patrols for the foreseeable future. Additional police presence will include both uniformed and plain-clothes officers, and access to certain buildings may be restricted to individuals with verified identification.
Students, faculty and staff were reminded to update their emergency contact information and to review campus safety procedures posted on the university’s official website.
Next Steps
Autopsies for the deceased victims will be conducted by the state medical examiner. Hospital administrators indicated that updates on the injured will be provided only with family consent. Counseling centers expect heightened demand in the coming days and have expanded operating hours accordingly.
Investigators are working to determine whether the firearm used in the attack was obtained legally and if any warning signs were missed. Police declined to comment on the specific type of weapon recovered, citing the active nature of the case.
Administrators plan to hold a campus-wide vigil once authorities complete the initial phase of their investigation and declare the area fully secure.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live
