A person of interest is in custody following a mass shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured, authorities confirmed Sunday, as investigators continued working to determine a motive and any connection between the detainee and the campus.
The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon during a final exam review session inside the Holley Engineering Building, where a gunman opened fire in a classroom before fleeing on foot. Final exams were underway across the Ivy League campus at the time. The victims, all identified by university officials as students, were transported to area hospitals. One remained in critical condition, while others were listed as stable. Two additional people were treated for minor injuries caused by fragments rather than gunfire.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez confirmed during a Sunday morning briefing that a person of interest, described as a man in his 30s, had been detained. He stressed that the investigation remained active and that limited details could be released to protect its integrity. Law enforcement officials clarified that they are not currently searching for additional suspects.
A law enforcement source reported that the individual was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, outside Providence. A CNN crew witnessed a significant police presence at the location as officers moved in and called for the occupant of a room to come out. Authorities later lifted the shelter-in-place order that had been imposed across campus and nearby neighborhoods.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley remarked that residents could “breathe a little easier” but stressed that the investigation remains active. Brown University canceled remaining classes, exams, and academic activities as the campus began recovery efforts.
Brown President Christina Paxson highlighted the emotional toll, stating, “Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us.” Counseling, religious life, and student support services have been mobilized to assist those affected.
The response involved local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, which worked overnight reviewing surveillance footage and following up on tips.
