University officials initially told students and staff through Brown’s emergency notification system that a suspect was in custody. That information was later corrected, with officials clarifying that no shooter had been apprehended. Mayor Smiley said one individual was briefly detained but later determined to have no involvement.
Police warned the public that the scene remained active. At one point, an officer instructed members of the media to take cover inside their vehicles due to the ongoing threat.
Students Describe Chaos and Fear
Students near the engineering complex described moments of panic and confusion as alerts spread across campus.
Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral engineering student who was about a block away, said students in a nearby lab hid under desks and turned off the lights after receiving the emergency alert.
“We didn’t know where the shooter was,” Chien said. “Everyone was just trying to stay quiet and safe.”
Providence City Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes Brown University and who is also a Brown alum, expressed deep sorrow over the violence.
