Deadly Campus SHOOTING — Gunman Still LOOSE

Students walking on a university campus with autumn trees and a historic building in the background

A deadly campus shooting at Brown University has left two students dead and nine wounded, while authorities released a “person of interest” and continue their manhunt for the gunman who targeted students during finals week.

Story Snapshot

Two students killed, nine wounded in shooting during economics exam review session
Gunman remains at large after authorities released detained “person of interest”
Attack occurred in unlocked academic building during peak finals week activity
Providence police seeking public help with doorbell camera footage for manhunt

Deadly Attack During Finals Week

On December 13, 2025, at approximately 4:05 p.m., a gunman opened fire in Room 166 of Brown University’s Barus and Holley Building during a teaching assistant-led review session for an introductory economics class. The shooter used a handgun to kill two students and wound nine others in the 186-seat lecture hall. Students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov lost their lives in what marks Brown University’s first mass shooting incident since its founding in 1764.

The attack unfolded during the second day of fall semester final exams, when the engineering building remained unlocked and accessible for academic activities. Brown University Public Safety issued the first active shooter alert at 4:22 p.m., seventeen minutes after the shooting began. The gunman escaped through the Hope Street side of the building, leaving behind a scene of chaos and terror among students preparing for their economics final examination.

Investigation Setbacks and Ongoing Manhunt

Providence Police Department initially detained a person of interest but subsequently released the individual, resetting their manhunt efforts. Authorities describe the actual suspect as a male wearing all black or dark gray clothing who fled the scene after the shooting. Police have released surveillance video showing the suspect on Hope Street and are actively requesting doorbell camera footage from area residents to aid their investigation.

The investigation faced early complications when university officials issued erroneous alerts, including a false report that a suspect was in custody and an unfounded gunfire alert near Governor Street that was later retracted. These communication errors highlight the challenges law enforcement faces during active shooter situations, particularly when trying to provide real-time updates to a panicked campus community during peak academic stress periods.

Campus Security Vulnerabilities Exposed

The shooting exposes concerning vulnerabilities in campus security protocols, particularly regarding building access during finals week. The Barus and Holley Building, which houses the School of Engineering and physics department, remained unlocked during the review session, allowing unrestricted entry. This incident raises serious questions about whether universities adequately balance academic accessibility with student safety, especially during high-stress periods when buildings see increased activity.

President Christina Paxson confirmed the casualties and urged the Brown community to support affected families during this “tragic time.” All nine injured students received treatment at Rhode Island Hospital, with conditions ranging from critical to stable as of December 14. The attack during finals week particularly compounds the trauma, as students now must cope with grief and fear while completing their academic obligations. This incident joins a troubling pattern of campus violence that continues to plague American higher education institutions.