Two students were killed and nine people were wounded Saturday afternoon in a shooting on the campus of Brown University, local authorities confirmed. The gunman remains at large, prompting an ongoing shelter-in-place order for the university and surrounding area.
The shooting occurred at approximately 4:05 p.m. local time. According to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, several of the nine injured victims are in critical condition at area hospitals, and the casualty count may still rise.
Law enforcement officials described the suspect as a male dressed entirely in black who fled the scene on foot. The investigation led to one initial arrest, but the individual was later released after police determined they were not involved in the attack.
“Our hearts are broken tonight,” Mayor Smiley said in a press briefing. “We are deploying every resource to find the person responsible and to support the victims and the entire Brown community during this horrific time.”
A shelter-in-place warning remains in effect for the greater Brown University area as an extensive manhunt continues. University officials have urged all students and staff to remain indoors and lock their doors.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident. Federal agencies are assisting local and state police in the investigation.
