On Saturday afternoon, tragedy struck Brown University in Rhode Island. A shooting in the Barus & Holley engineering building left two people dead and eight others critically injured. As of now, authorities have not apprehended the shooter, who is still at large.
Rhode Island Mayor Brett Smiley held a news conference where he confirmed the grim details. The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m., coinciding with final exams being held in the building. Injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at Rhode Island Hospital, and the situation remains fluid as more information comes in.
Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara mentioned that the suspect, described only as a male in black clothing, fled the scene. It’s not yet clear how he gained entry to the building, but he exited on the Hope Street side. Authorities have searched the area but have not found the suspect or any weapons.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the Brown University campus, urging residents to stay indoors. The university alerted students to lock their doors and remain hidden until further notice.
In a follow-up to the chaos, President Trump addressed the shooting on Truth Social, initially stating that a suspect was in custody. He later revised this information, citing an update from Brown University Police. He expressed his condolences, saying, “God bless the victims and their families.”
The FBI is now involved, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending agents to assist local law enforcement. Governor Dan McKee expressed his shock, stating, “The unthinkable has happened.”
This shooting raises critical discussions about safety on college campuses. According to recent statistics, there have been over 150 school shootings in the U.S. since 2018. Experts argue that increasing mental health resources and implementing better security measures could help prevent such incidents.
Many are turning to social media to share their thoughts and reactions. The hashtag #BrownUniversity trended shortly after the incident, with messages of support and concern flooding in from across the nation. As authorities continue their investigation, the community grapples with the impact of this tragic event.
For ongoing updates, stay tuned to reliable news sources like CBS News.
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Shooting, Rhode Island
