Police Say Suspect Is In Custody; Investigators Continue To Piece Together How Gunman Entered Engineering Building And Fled
Sunday, December 14, 2025, 12:30 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
PROVIDENCE, RI.- A person of interest is in custody following a deadly shooting that erupted Saturday afternoon inside a Brown University engineering building during final exams, leaving two people dead and eight others wounded and triggering a sweeping, hours-long manhunt across Providence and surrounding communities.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed early Sunday that investigators detained an individual believed to be connected to the attack and that authorities are not actively searching for additional suspects at this time. Officials cautioned, however, that the investigation remains ongoing and that the individual in custody has not yet been formally charged.
Shooting Inside The Engineering And Physics Complex;
According to law enforcement officials, the gunman entered Brown University’s Barus & Holley Building, which houses the School of Engineering and portions of the physics department, shortly before 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The shooting occurred inside a classroom while final exams were underway.
Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire as the assailant opened fire with a handgun, striking multiple victims before fleeing the building on foot. Brown University immediately issued a campus-wide emergency alert, ordering students, faculty, and staff to shelter in place as police secured the area.
Investigators recovered numerous shell casings at the scene. Law enforcement sources said the shooter fired more than 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition. While the firearm used in the attack has not yet been recovered, police located two loaded 30-round magazines during the course of the investigation.
Massive Law Enforcement Response;
The attack prompted a large-scale response involving more than 400 law enforcement officers, including Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, campus police, and federal agencies. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) were deployed to assist with evidence collection, forensic analysis, and suspect tracking.
Authorities locked down large sections of the Brown campus and nearby neighborhoods for several hours, conducting building-by-building searches and securing nearby residential areas. Students described barricading themselves inside classrooms and dormitories, turning off lights, and remaining silent as officers swept through buildings.
Victims And Medical Conditions;
Officials confirmed that two individuals were pronounced dead as a result of the shooting. Of the nine people injured, seven were listed in stable condition, one remained critical but stable, and one victim had been released from the hospital by Sunday morning.
All injured victims were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Brown University President Christina Paxson stated that all or nearly all of the victims were students, though authorities have not released names pending family notification.
Detention Made Outside Providence;
Federal officials confirmed that the person of interest was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 20 miles southwest of Providence. Law enforcement secured the hotel overnight as investigators conducted searches.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the detained individual is the shooter, nor have they disclosed whether the person had any formal affiliation with Brown University.
Ongoing Investigation And Security Questions;
Investigators are continuing to examine how the gunman accessed the building during exams. Officials said the outer doors of the engineering complex were unlocked at the time. At the same time, some interior rooms required badge access, raising questions about security protocols during high-traffic academic periods.
Police have not released a motive and emphasized that all conclusions will be based on verified evidence, surveillance footage, and witness interviews.
Official Statements;
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee pledged full state support for the investigation, vowing accountability and justice for the victims. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the situation and described the shooting as “terrible” in remarks to reporters.
Brown University announced the cancellation of remaining classes and academic requirements for the semester, citing safety concerns and the need for the campus community to grieve and recover.
Editor’s Note:
Englebrook Independent News reports on mass-casualty events with the utmost care and adherence to verified facts. As of publication, authorities have not released the identities of the deceased or confirmed charges against the individual in custody. No motive has been officially established. This report is based solely on information provided by law enforcement and university officials and will be updated as additional verified details become available. — Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, Englebrook Independent News.
