A wave of terror swept through the historic Brown University campus Saturday as a shooter, cloaked in darkness, unleashed violence during final exams. At least two lives were lost, and eight others were wounded, shattering the tranquility of the Ivy League institution.
The attack unfolded within the Barus & Holley building, a complex teeming with laboratories and classrooms, as engineering students were immersed in crucial exams. Initial reports sparked confusion, with authorities briefly announcing a suspect in custody, only to retract the statement as the search intensified.
Police descended upon the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, a methodical search unfolding across stately brick homes, academic halls, and hidden corners. The suspect, described as a male in dark clothing, was last seen fleeing the engineering building, triggering a massive manhunt.
Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, described the chilling moment she heard the first shots ring out while working on a final project. Instinct took over, and she fled, seeking refuge in a nearby building, waiting for hours as uncertainty gripped the campus.
Rhode Island Hospital received eight gunshot wound victims, with six listed in critical but stable condition, and two others in varying degrees of severity. The medical teams worked tirelessly, battling to save lives amidst the unfolding crisis.
A shelter-in-place order was immediately issued, urging residents near the campus to remain indoors. Fear and anxiety permeated the air as students and community members alike sought safety, unsure of what lay ahead.
Students recounted harrowing moments of fear and desperation. Some hid under desks, extinguishing lights in a desperate attempt to remain unseen, while others sought shelter in nearby businesses, their phones buzzing with frantic texts.
Alex Bruce, a senior biochemistry student, watched from his dorm window as tactical teams surrounded the campus, his heart pounding with fear for a friend he believed was still inside the targeted building. The scene was one of stark reality and mounting dread.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Brown University community and beyond. Governor Dan McKee expressed disbelief, stating simply, “The unthinkable has happened.” The investigation continues, seeking answers and justice in the wake of this devastating event.
Mari Camara, a junior from New York City, found herself seeking refuge in a local taqueria, spending hours texting friends and grappling with the terrifying realization that such violence could erupt on a campus once considered a sanctuary.
The FBI has joined the investigation, lending its resources to the ongoing search for the suspect. Brown University, with its prestigious reputation and nearly 10,000 students, is now grappling with a tragedy that has forever altered its sense of security.
