There was a mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon, December 14, 2025. Two students were killed, nine other people were injured, and the campus was placed under an hours‑long shelter‑in‑place lockdown as police searched for the shooter.
Incident overview
The shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley building, which houses engineering and physics facilities, while students were gathered for final exams and study sessions. Officials reported that two victims, identified as Brown students, died from their injuries, and among the nine injured, several were in critical but stable condition as of Sunday.
Campus response and lockdown
An emergency alert about an active shooter was sent to the campus a little after 4 p.m. local time, instructing students and staff to shelter in place, lock doors, silence phones, and hide. Large numbers of law‑enforcement officers evacuated and searched buildings through the night, and the campus‑wide shelter‑in‑place order was lifted on Sunday morning after authorities said there was no ongoing threat.
Suspect and investigation
Police have detained a man in his twenties described as a person of interest in connection with the attack, and said they are not currently seeking additional suspects. As of the latest public updates, investigators had not yet released detailed information about the suspect’s background or a possible motive, and the investigation remains active.
Impact on university operations
Brown’s president and leadership described the past day as a tragic time for the campus community and emphasized efforts to provide counseling and support. The university has canceled remaining in‑person classes, exams, and many academic requirements for the rest of the fall 2025 semester so students and staff can focus on safety and recovery.
If you are on campus or connected to Brown, it is important to monitor official Brown University and local police communications for the latest safety, counseling, and schedule updates.
