Police say the gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building during a final exam review session. Students described a chaotic scene as they received shelter-in-place alerts while local police, FBI agents, and SWAT teams swept through campus buildings. The video shows students being evacuated by heavily armed officers.
One witness driving through campus recalled the shocking moment:
“Cop cars after cop cars, and I was confused about what happened, so I got out of the car… And I saw a person on the ground. It really shocked me. They were getting CPR and stuff.”
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Brown University Shooting Law enforcement officials walk near an entrance to Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Brown University Shooting Police gather outside an entrance to Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) (Mark Stockwell/AP)
Brown University Shooting A law enforcement official carries a rifle in a neighborhood near Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, R.I. during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Brown University Shooting Ambulances line Hope Street at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) (Mark Stockwell/AP)
APTOPIX Brown University Shooting A law enforcement official walks past articles of clothing on a sidewalk near an entrance to Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, R.I., during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
APTOPIX Brown University Shooting Law enforcement officials carry rifles while walking on a street in a neighborhood near Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Brown University Shooting Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, . (AP Photo/Jen McDermott) (Jen McDermott/AP)
Brown University Shooting Police vehicles and first responders gather at Waterman St, and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jen McDermott) (Jen McDermott/AP)
Brown University Shooting Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) (Mark Stockwell/AP)
Brown University Shooting Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) (Mark Stockwell/AP)
Brown University In this image from video, law enforcement officials gather outside the Brown University campus in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) (Kimberlee Kruesi/AP)
Brown University Emergency response at Brown University (Source: WJAR/CNN Newsource)
Brown University In this image from video, law enforcement officials gather outside the Brown University campus in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) (Kimberlee Kruesi/AP)
Brown University FILE - The logo for Brown University is displayed at the school's campus in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
“Everybody is reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us. My main goal in the coming days, weeks, and months is to bring people back together and help them feel safe and secure on campus,” Paxson said.
She added that the university has mobilized all available resources, including student services and religious life, to support those affected.
Officials say they have been in contact with students and families throughout the crisis. The president called the situation “devastating” but expressed confidence that the campus community will recover.
Remainder of semester canceled
Brown Provost Francis J. Doyle III also announced the cancellation of all academic activity for the semester in the wake of Saturday’s tragedy.
“Given the deeply tragic events that took place on our campus yesterday, all remaining undergraduate, graduate, and medical classes, exams, and papers or projects for the Fall 2025 semester will not take place as scheduled,” Doyle said.
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