Brown University shooting, multiple people killed
Providence police have confirmed that multiple people have been shot after reports of a shooting at Brown University.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Authorities have confirmed a person of interest is in police custody in Providence, R.I., after a mass shooting at Brown University left at least two students dead and nine others injured.
“The people of Providence can breathe a little easier this morning,” Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters at an early morning news conference in the New England city.
The shooting at the Ivy League university occurred just before 4:05 p.m. Saturday in an engineering building with an unlocked door where final exams were in progress. Law enforcement worked late into the night to clear and evacuate the school building and take students to established reunification centers, the USA TODAY Network’s Providence Journal reported.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that two of those killed were students, and at least eight of the nine injured were also students. Paxson said authorities and university leaders are in contact with the families of the students who died.
Here’s what we know so far:
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez could not confirm many details at a Sunday morning news conference, but said law enforcement would then work with prosecutors to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
Police initially described the suspect as a man wearing all black, possibly in his 30s. Perez confirmed this statement at a morning press conference.
Ted Docks, head of the FBI’s Boston field office, praised local law enforcement and said this cooperation was essential in investigating and detaining the suspect within 24 hours.
Police in Coventry, Rhode Island, confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody around 3:45 a.m. at a hotel on Center of New England Boulevard, but did not specify which hotel.
The Center of New England is a large commercial and residential development that includes several hotels as well as a Walmart, Home Depot, and BJ’s.
Brown University announced in a 5:42 a.m. alert that Providence Police notified the university that the shelter-in-place order for the entire Brown campus had ended.
However, police operations will continue in areas where crime scenes are still considered to be active.
“Please note that access to these areas of campus remains restricted. Within the police perimeter, including Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings, members of the community who leave those buildings will not be able to return. It is important that you follow the direction of law enforcement at all times,” the alert states.
Smiley said at a 7 a.m. news conference that the order has also ended for everyone in the Brown area.
