On Saturday, a shooting incident led to a lockdown and emergency alert at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. University authorities warned of gunfire near the Barus & Holley Engineering building, urging the community to seek shelter, lock doors, and remain hidden.
The initial alert from the university, sent at approximately 4:22 p.m., described an “active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering,” advising individuals to run, hide, or fight as a last resort. It also instructed them to silence phones and stay sheltered “until further notice.”
Subsequently, another message instructed people to continue taking shelter and to avoid the area. It noted that no suspects were in custody and that police were actively searching for the individual or individuals responsible.
A source, a Brown University student, informed our newsroom that the shooter was mobile and had fired shots on another street.
According to The Brown Daily Herald, referencing a Providence Fire radio transmission, there were reports of at least 20 injured victims near Barus & Holley and Macmillan Hall during the incident.
The student publication also noted that videos obtained by their newsroom showed a strong police presence and emergency vehicles on nearby streets, along with scenes of medical attention being provided to individuals on the ground near the Science Library.
Eyewitness accounts gathered by the student newspaper described moments of panic: one student reported hearing gunshots around 4:10 p.m., evacuating a building, leaving belongings behind, and running to safety at her residence.
At present, the university advised avoiding the specific area of the incident, remaining sheltered, and staying alert for security updates as they coordinated the response with multiple agencies and handled medical emergencies on-site.
In recent years, shootings on U.S. university campuses have raised significant societal concern and reignited the debate over gun violence.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in April 2025, when Florida State University (FSU) experienced a mass shooting that resulted in two fatalities and several injuries.
On April 17, a 20-year-old student and son of a sheriff's deputy opened fire in the Student Union. Authorities recovered multiple weapons, including a shotgun. Videos circulated showing panic, with professors shielding students.
President Donald Trump described the event as "a disgrace," while Governor Ron DeSantis called for prayers for the victims. Days later, the identity of Tiru Chabba, the second fatality, was confirmed—he was a father employed on the campus.
On April 28, 2025, another university shooting shocked the public, this time at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. The attack, occurring after a student event, left a 24-year-old dead and six others injured, including three students shot and others hurt in the ensuing stampede. The university declared a campus shutdown, and local and state forces were deployed to investigate.
That same day, U.S. media also reported the discovery of a body in the waters of Broward, Florida, amid a backdrop of rising insecurity.
Key Questions About Recent University Shootings in the U.S.
What actions did Brown University take in response to the shooting?
Brown University issued an emergency alert, instructed individuals to shelter in place, lock doors, and stay hidden. The university continued to provide updates as police searched for the shooter.
How have recent university shootings in the U.S. affected public opinion?
Recent university shootings have heightened public concern about safety on campuses and reignited debates over gun control and violence in the United States.
What was the outcome of the Florida State University shooting?
The Florida State University shooting resulted in two deaths and several injuries. The perpetrator was a 20-year-old student who was later identified, and the incident prompted national attention and political responses.