Police Take Person of Interest into Custody Following Brown University Shooting

Police in Providence, Rhode Island, have detained a person of interest in connection with the deadly shooting that took place on the campus of Brown University. The incident, which occurred during final exams on March 9, 2024, resulted in two fatalities and left nine others injured. A news conference is scheduled for 7 a.m. to provide further details on the investigation.

The shooting erupted in a classroom within the engineering building of the prestigious Ivy League university, sending hundreds of police officers to scour the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots shortly after the exams began, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Surveillance footage shows the shooter, dressed in black, leaving the scene calmly, although his face remains obscured. Investigators have not confirmed whether he is affiliated with the university.

According to Christina Paxson, the president of Brown University, ten of the shooting victims were identified as students. Another individual was injured by stray fragments, but it remains unclear if they were also a student. The chaotic scene paralyzed the campus as students sheltered in place for hours while officers conducted searches.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged residents living near the university to stay indoors until the situation was resolved. He expressed solidarity with the Brown community, stating, “The Brown community’s heart is breaking and Providence’s heart is breaking along with it.”

Authorities believe that the shooter used a handgun, although specifics regarding how he gained access to the classroom remain unclear. The outer doors of the engineering building were reportedly unlocked, but access to exam rooms typically requires a badge.

The wounded individuals were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was reported in critical condition. Six others required intensive care, while two remained stable, according to hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan.

Classes were underway in the Barus & Holley building, which houses more than 100 laboratories and dozens of classrooms. Emma Ferraro, a student working on a final project in the lobby, described hearing loud pops before realizing they were gunshots. She quickly fled to a nearby building for safety.

Among the students present was Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate and former runner-up on the CBS reality show “Survivor.” She had just left her lab 15 minutes before the shooting began. Erickson shared her experience on social media, noting that she and her lab partner were safely evacuated.

Another student, Alex Bruce, was working on a research project in his dorm across the street when he heard the sirens. “I’m just in here shaking,” he said, observing the police activity from his window.

Students in nearby classrooms responded to the emergency alert by turning off lights and hiding under desks. Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student, recounted that he was only a block away when the shooting occurred.

Many students sought refuge in nearby buildings, like Mari Camara, who rushed into a taqueria after coming out of the library. She spent over three hours inside, communicating with friends while the campus was on lockdown. “Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened,” she shared.

Brown University, founded in 1764, is among the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States, with approximately 7,300 undergraduate and over 3,000 graduate students. The annual cost for tuition, housing, and other fees approaches $100,000, according to university estimates.

As the investigation continues, Governor Dan McKee pledged that all necessary resources would be utilized to apprehend the suspect. The community remains in a state of shock as they grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.