Suspect In Brown University Shooting In Custody

Police arrested a suspect early Sunday in connection with a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two people and wounded nine others.

Col. Oscar Perez, Providence police chief, said at a news conference that the detained suspect was in their 30s, WJAR reported. Authorities are not currently searching for anyone else.

The shooter opened fire Saturday afternoon in a first-floor classroom of the Barus & Holley engineering building during final exams. Armed with a handgun, the attacker fired more than 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition, the Associated Press reported, citing a statement from a law enforcement official. Investigators recovered two loaded 30-round magazines but had not located the weapon as of Sunday morning.

Surveillance video released by police showed the suspect dressed in black and calmly walking away from the scene. Some witnesses told police the suspect may have worn a camouflage mask. (RELATED: Police Arrest University Of Delaware Student Who Allegedly Plotted Mass Shooting, Reportedly Sought ‘Martyrdom’)

FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University and we will provide all capabilities necessary. Please pray for all those involved. We will update with more information as we are able.

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 13, 2025

Ten of the shooting victims were students, Brown University President Christina Paxson said. One victim remained in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. Six others required intensive care but were stable.

“Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us,” Paxson said. “Our community’s strong, and we’ll get through it, but it’s devastating.”

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discussed the city’s preparations for such an event.

“We all, intellectually, knew it could happen anywhere, including here,” Smiley said. “It’s not something that we should have to train for, but we have.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that agents were assisting local authorities.

“Please pray for all those involved,” Patel said.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee called the shooting “an unthinkable tragedy.”