URGENT UPDATE: A suspect detained following a devastating shooting at Brown University has been released as authorities shift their investigation in a “different direction.” The announcement came during a late-night press conference on December 3, 2023, after the shooting claimed the lives of two students and left nine others injured.
The incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the campus and surrounding Providence, Rhode Island neighborhoods. Hundreds of law enforcement officers responded, initiating a lockdown that lasted for hours as they searched for the alleged shooter. Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the heightened anxiety this news would cause in the community, stating, “We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.”
Earlier that day, a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin had been taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, approximately 20 miles from the university. However, after a thorough investigation, law enforcement officials confirmed that no charges have been filed, and Colonel Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, revealed no one else is being sought at this time.
During the shooting, more than 40 rounds were fired from a 9mm handgun inside a classroom in the engineering building. Authorities recovered two handguns and multiple loaded magazines at the scene. According to a law enforcement official, one of the firearms had a laser sight, enhancing its targeting capabilities.
In response to the violence, Brown University canceled all remaining classes, exams, and projects for the semester, allowing students to leave campus. University President Christina Paxson expressed her deep concern for the students affected, sharing that one of the wounded, Kendall Turner, a recent graduate from a private K-12 school, is in critical condition.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes as students barricaded themselves in their rooms or hid behind furniture, fearing for their safety. Videos captured students trembling in a library, reacting to loud bangs before police entered to clear the building.
The shooting’s impact reverberates through the academic community, with support systems mobilizing to assist those affected. “They are amazing and they’re supporting each other,” Paxson said, her voice breaking during a press briefing.
As the investigation continues, officials have not disclosed a potential motive for the attack. Authorities remain on high alert, with ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff at Brown University and beyond.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
