Brown University says there is an active shooter on campus in Rhode Island

Police responded to an active shooting on Saturday (December 13, 2025) on campus at Brown University in Providence, according to the school’s alert system.

Multiple people were shot at Brown University, the prestigious Ivy League school in Rhode Island, said Kristy DosReis, a public information officer for the city of Providence

“Multiple shot in the area of Brown University. This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice,” police in Providence, Rhode Island said on X.

Brown on its website described the incident as an “active shooter” situation, with no suspects in police custody as of 5:11 p.m. ET. Other news outlets said as many as 20 individuals were injured, but Reuters has not confirmed those reports.

Kristy DosReis, the city of Providence’s chief public information officer for public safety, declined to provide details on the number of people injured or whether any were killed.

People told to take shelter

“There have been multiple people shot,” DosReis said. “It continues to be an active investigation and we are urging people to shelter in place.” 

Officials initially said a suspect was in custody, before saying that was not in fact the case and police were still searching for a suspect or suspects.

The incident was reported near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story structure that houses the School of Engineering and Physics Department, according to the school’s website. It includes 117 laboratories, 150 offices, 15 classrooms and 29 labs.

Officials were still gathering information from the active scene, said Kristy DosReis, chief public information officer for the city.

The Ivy League school is a private, nonprofit institution with about 7,300 undergraduates and just over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website.

Saturday was the second day of final exams for the fall semester.