by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, USA (Worthy News) – American authorities have detained “a person of interest” following a deadly shooting at Brown University in the U.S. state of Rhode Island that officials said killed two students and wounded nine others, prompting a campus lockdown and renewed debate over security at the nation’s universities.
The shooting occurred Saturday inside the university’s Barus & Holley engineering building as students were preparing for or taking final exams, officials said.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before chaos erupted and students fled or barricaded themselves inside classrooms, showed video footage obtained by Worthy News. “Police, police. Police. Providence Police. Hands, hands, hands. Hands up. Hands. Hands,” shouted heavily armed special
forces rescuing students.
“Just keep your hands up for us. Obviously, there’s something going on. We’re here to help you. Just listen to what we have to say, okay? All right, breathe,” one of the policemen said.
“Anybody hurt? Nope? All right, just listen to our commands. We will get you out of here safely. Is this it? Is this the group? All right, guys, if you have the bags with phones, go grab it now. Quickly. Go, go, go. Quick, go. Get orderly fast. Let’s go. Single file. Good job,” he added.
SUSPECT DETAINED, INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Hours later, Providence police said a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin was taken into custody late Saturday as a person of interest.
Authorities stressed that the suspect has not yet been formally charged, and investigators have not confirmed whether he has any direct affiliation with the Ivy League university.
Law enforcement officials said firearms and ammunition were recovered at the time of the arrest. Police added that they are not actively searching for additional suspects, but emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
The university remained in lockdown for several hours as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies searched the area.
Brown University later confirmed that most of the wounded were students. Several victims remain hospitalized, some in critical but stable condition, while others have been treated and released.
Brown President Christina Paxson described the shooting as a “tragic and senseless act of violence” and announced the suspension of academic activities, including final exams, as the campus community mourns.
OFFICIALS CONDEMN ATTACK
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley stressed that the shooting marked a dark day for the city and the state.
“This is a tragedy that the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never happen,” Smiley told reporters.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also condemned the violence, pledging full state support for the investigation and for affected students and families.
Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public, though a heightened security presence remains on and around the campus.
Investigators are working to determine the motive for the attack and how the suspect accessed the building.
The shooting adds to growing concerns over gun violence at U.S. educational institutions, even as universities grapple with balancing open campuses and security.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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