What we know so far
• A person of interest is in custody in connection with yesterday’s shooting at Brown University, officials said this morning. The shooting, which happened during a final exam review session at the private Ivy League university, left two students dead and nine others injured.
• A law enforcement source says the person of interest was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island. A CNN crew saw a large police presence gather at the hotel before officers moved in on a room, banging on the door and calling for the person to come out. Coventry is a town outside Providence, where the university is located.
• The community can “breathe a little easier” this morning, the Providence mayor said. A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for the campus, where all remaining classes, exams and projects are canceled, according to the university.
It's late morning in Rhode Island. Here's where things stand
Less than 24 hours after the deadly shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, a person of interest is in custody and the campus shelter-in-place order has been lifted.
Here’s a recap of the latest news:
• Hotel apprehension: A law enforcement source says the person of interest was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, near the Providence airport. A CNN crew staying at the hotel saw officers bang on a person’s door and call for them to come out, as a large federal and local law enforcement presence gathered outside the building. A hotel guest described to reporters what he saw when he came down for breakfast.
• The person of interest: The person taken into custody is in their 30s, according to the Providence police chief, who would not confirm whether they are affiliated with the university. More details are expected from law enforcement later today.
• The victims: Two students were killed in the shooting. Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, while one person was treated yesterday and released, according to the latest update from the university.
• Where things stand on campus: The shelter-in-place order has been lifted at the university, where all remaining classes, exams and projects are canceled, the university said.
• More on the investigation: Yesterday, police said a man believed to be the shooting suspect was seen on video walking down Hope Street, near the scene of the attack. He was described as wearing dark clothing and estimated to be in his 30s.
CNN’s Brian Todd, Veronica Stracqualursi, Chris Boyette and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.
Leaders reflect on the Brown University shooting, 13 years after Sandy Hook
The shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured Saturday night echoes the pain felt 13 years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary, community leaders say.
Sunday marks the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 elementary students.
“What I think about when one of these mass shootings happens is the community in Sandy Hook. Those parents, when they see these images on television, are always having to relive the horror of that day,” Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy told CNN Sunday morning.
“What I know is that a community never ever recovers from a shooting like this, and the trauma and the cost is not just in the lives lost,” Murphy said.
The Providence community will feel the impact of the shooting for a long time, the senator said.
“Those kids who are returning to campus are going to be looking over their shoulder, wondering whether they are going to survive their next day in class, as kids all across America do every single day,” he added.
The shootings at Sandy Hook 13 years ago, and many others since, have forced leaders to prepare for situations like this, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference Sunday morning.
So far in 2025, there have been at least 389 mass shootings and 13,920 shooting deaths in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Like CNN, the archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are injured or killed, excluding the shooter.
“We have a generation of kids who have had to do active shooter trainings. That’s not something I had to do when I was a kid,” Smiley said.
“What are all these cops doing here?” Hotel guest describes early morning apprehension
A guest at a Coventry, Rhode Island, hotel was grabbing breakfast in the lobby early this morning when he noticed a huge law enforcement presence.
A person of interest in yesterday’s deadly shooting at Brown University was detained at the hotel today, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
The guest, Mark LaFountaine, told reporters outside the hotel that he didn’t see the person get taken into custody but saw plenty of police officers, US Marshals and FBI agents.
LaFountaine said he had been watching the news on Saturday night about the shooting and was aware of the search for a suspect.
He said he understood that authorities couldn’t give him any information at the time, but later looked at his iPad and realized the apprehension happened at his hotel. “I knew it had to be, with all the commotion going on,” he said.
“We came up to see the snow from Florida and we didn’t expect to see this,” LaFountaine added.
Providence rallying around Brown University community after shooting, mayor says
Providence is a “college town” and its residents are rallying around the Brown University community after a shooting on campus Saturday left two students dead and nine others injured, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told CNN Sunday morning.
“I live right on the edge of campus. My neighbors walk their dog through campus. It’s very much open to the community, which is part of its strength, and so it’s a really scary and shocking and sad event, not just for Brown, but for all of Providence,” Smiley said.
The mayor said he plans to get in touch with the families of the students who were killed and visit the eight students who remain hospitalized Sunday.
Smiley said he’s previously heard insight from other mayors who have experienced shootings in their communities and Providence has trained for an event like this, “but it is still a very different thing when it actually happens.”
“This has not happened in Providence before, and so while intellectually, maybe we knew that it could happen, you still never think that it will,” Smiley added.
The top priority remains bringing the person responsible for the shooting to justice, Smiley said.
A person of interest in the shooting was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island Sunday morning, according to a law enforcement official in the state.
Brown cancels all classes, exams and projects following shooting
All remaining undergraduate and graduate exams, papers and projects for the rest of the fall 2025 semester have been canceled at Brown University following a deadly campus shooting that left two students dead and nine others wounded.
University leaders made the decision out of “profound concern for all students, faculty and staff on our campus,” Provost Francis J. Doyle III said in a message to the university community this morning.
“At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle said.
Students who are able may leave campus, while those who remain will have access to services and support, according to the message.
After the shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday morning, Sharpe Refectory — the largest dining facility on campus — reopened to students in need of food, the university said.
A person of interest in the shooting was taken into custody at a Providence-area hotel early this morning, authorities said.
Exclusive: CNN witnesses police activity at hotel where person of interest was detained
CNN witnessed heavy police activity early Sunday morning at a hotel near the Providence airport, where a person of interest was detained in Saturday’s shooting at Brown University, according to a law enforcement official in Rhode Island.
CNN witnessed at least 20 police officers, US marshals, and FBI agents inside the hotel and entering a room.
A CNN photojournalist was among the hotel guests who were woken up just before 4 a.m., as police were heard banging on a hotel room door, saying, “Open up.”
Law enforcement could be heard in the hallway saying, “We have a warrant for your apartment,” and we’re taking you out “back to the cruiser.”
Video captured exclusively by CNN shows law enforcement gathered in the hotel hallway and parking lot overnight, and CNN witnessed law enforcement agents entering one of the hotel rooms.
A person of interest is in custody in connection with the shooting at Brown University, according to officials. The shooting, which happened during a final exam review session, left two students dead and nine others injured.
A woman staying on the same floor of the hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, said she was scared.
CNN’s Brian Todd and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.
Person in custody in Brown University shooting is in their 30s, police say
The person of interest in custody following the shooting at Brown University is in their 30s, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said this morning.
The chief would not confirm whether the person of interest is affiliated with the university in anyway.
Two people were killed and nine others were injured in the shooting, which occurred during a final exam review for the Principles of Economics class, Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed.
Person taken into custody at hotel is person of interest in Brown shooting, source says
A person taken into custody at a Providence-area hotel early Sunday morning is the person of interest in connection with the Brown University shooting, according to a law enforcement official in Rhode Island.
No information was given on whether any weapons were found in the room when the person was detained, the source tells CNN.
Video captured exclusively by CNN shows at least 20 law enforcement officers gathered in the hotel hallway and parking lot overnight. CNN also observed agents entering one of the hotel rooms around 4 a.m.
Community can breathe a sigh of relief after man taken into custody in Brown University shooting, mayor says
The citizens of Providence can breathe a sigh of relief following the announcement that a man is in custody in connection with the shooting that left two students dead and nine injured, according to the mayor.
“The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference.
A “person of interest” was taken into police custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early this morning, authorities said.
Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one person has been discharged following the shooting at Brown University, the mayor said this morning.
Investigators continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews, but are not currently searching for any other individuals in connection with the shooting, Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said.
Person in custody in connection with Brown University shooting, mayor’s office says
Authorities in Rhode Island have a person in custody in connection with the shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured, according to the communications director for the mayor of Providence.
A “person of interest” is in custody Josh Estrella told CNN early this morning.
CNN has reached out to the Providence Police Department for more information.
Shelter in place order has ended for entire Brown campus
A shelter in place order that was in effect throughout Saturday night into Sunday has ended for the entire Brown campus, according to a 5:42 a.m. alert from the university.
“However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene,” the university said. “Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues to be limited.”
Access to areas within the police perimeter continue to be limited, including to the university’s Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings.
“Community members who leave those buildings will be unable to return,” the alert read.
Police activity at a Providence area hotel believed to be connected to Brown University shooting investigation
CNN witnessed heavy police activity at a Providence area hotel overnight that law enforcement officials at the scene say is “connected” to Saturday’s shooting at Brown University.
CNN witnessed at least 20 police officers, US Marshals, and FBI agents entering a hotel room near the Providence airport early Sunday morning.
When pressed by CNN if this law enforcement activity was tied to the shooting investigation, a US Marshals official at the hotel told CNN they have detained someone “connected” to the incident.
When pressed again, the same US Marshals official said, “It’s a small state. Put the dots together.”
Multiple law enforcement officials at the scene told CNN the hotel is a crime scene.
An FBI agent on the scene also told CNN, “News is coming.”
CNN was directed to an FBI office where a person who answered the phone told CNN that information was forthcoming.
Student says he found out about shooting on social media seconds after it happened
Brown University student Theodore Coben said he found out about the shooting on campus roughly 30 seconds after it happened on Saturday.
Speaking to CNN from his dorm, Coben said someone had posted about the shooting on Yik Yak, an anonymous social media forum used on college campuses.
The post said two students were shot on the street outside Brown’s MacMillan Hall.
Since then, Coben described subsequent updates and alerts from the university as “tough to pick apart” and “somewhat confusing.”
Brown University president says shooting victims were all students
All of the people killed or injured in Saturday’s shooting at Brown University were students, President Christina H. Paxson said in an email to the community, calling it an “unimaginably tragic day.”
Police were still working to clear students from campus buildings early Sunday, as the shooter remained on the loose, Paxson said.
Paxson also provided an update on the injured. One has been treated and released from the hospital. As for the students still in hospital, six were in critical but stable condition, one was in critical condition and one was in stable condition.
All exams that were meant to take place on Sunday will be rescheduled, the message said.
Brown University student who witnessed Parkland shooting says “it feels like 2018 again”
Brown University sophomore Zoe Weissman, who witnessed the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, told CNN she’s angry to be enduring another campus shooting.
In an interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto late Saturday, Weissman described a mix of anger and shock as the situation at Brown unfolded.
“I think the sadness will set in when we get all the victims identified and find out who we lost as a community,” Weissman said. “But right now, I’m just angry that there are kids like me in this country who have had to go through this not once, but twice.”
Weissman placed blame on “congressional inaction” in addressing gun violence.
“I think that we’ve seen time and time again that Congress has failed to show they actually care about their constituents,” she said. “If they did, they would immediately pass comprehensive gun violence prevention bills.”
The tragedy resurfaced painful memories and emotions from 2018, Weissman said, prompting her to immediately called her mother, just as she did during the Parkland attack.
“It feels like I’m 12 again,” she added. “It feels like it’s 2018 again for my family as well. We’re going through the exact same emotions.”
When asked how her classmates at Brown are coping, Weissman said many have turned to her for guidance on navigating the trauma.
“A lot of them have actually been reaching out to me for advice on how to deal with something like this, which is crazy that I have that experience, the ability to do that,” she said.
“Everyone’s been checking in with each other, making sure everyone is physically safe,” she said. “I think the aftermath is going to come soon after it’s over.”
Brown University sophomore Zoe Weissman, who witnessed the 2018 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, told CNN she’s angry to be enduring another campus shooting.
Correction: An earlier version of this post named the wrong school in the 2018 shooting incident. It was Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Students brace for overnight lockdown amid search for shooter
Brown University student Lydell Dyer was working in the school’s gym when he received a notification warning of an active shooter at 4:22 p.m.
Dyer said the university updates have been “pretty vague,” and so students have been relying on other students for more information about the surrounding area.
“I know a lot of people who are near the scene, and so I think most of the information we’re getting is from students internally,” he said.
At the time of the interview, Dyer said he has no sense of when the gym will be cleared.
“I think most of us are kind of expecting that we’ll be here for most of the night,” he said.
Brown posts map of perimeter under lockdown
People inside residential buildings within a cordoned-off perimeter on Brown’s campus have been told to remain sheltered in place until authorities escort them to a safe location, according to an alert on the university’s website at 11:06p.m.
“Police will enter all administrative (non-residential) buildings within the perimeter marked by the red boxes on the map to escort all individuals to safe locations outside of the perimeter,” the alert read.
“For all locations (inside and outside the perimeter), the shelter in place remains ongoing — unless escorted by a law enforcement officer, this means ensuring no movement across or near campus.”
As of 2 a.m., law enforcement officers were still working to evacuate people from administrative buildings, according to the university in a later alert.
This post has been updated with new information.
The Brown University shooting suspect is still at large. Here's the latest
A gunman opened fire at Brown University Saturday afternoon, killing at least two students. Authorities are still looking for the suspect.
Here are the latest developments:
New details about suspected gunman emerge: A man believed to be the suspect, described as wearing dark clothing and estimated to be in his 30s, was seen on video walking down Hope Street, near where the attack took place. Witnesses reported he may have worn a gray camouflage mask, police said.
Residents told to continue to stay inside: A shelter-in-place order remains for residents in and around the Brown University campus. The police will enter some non-residential buildings to escort people to safe locations, said the university in an alert just past 11 p.m.
More law enforcement: There will be enhanced law enforcement presence around town on Sunday, said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. He also said he “does not recommend” residents cancel their weekend plans while the search for the suspect is ongoing.
Campus classrooms cleared: Officers have searched some of the buildings in the surrounding area of Brown University and cleared the classrooms where students had barricaded themselves to ensure their safety.
Most victims were students: The two people who died in the attack and eight of the injured were students. Nine patients were admitted into Rhode Island Hospital with gun-related injuries.
Building safety to be reviewed: The authorities will debrief at a later stage to look at whether Brown University’s buildings were safe enough after the mayor said the exterior doors of the building where the shooting took place were unlocked at the time.
FBI launches tip site as suspect remains at large
The FBI has launched a tip site for members of the public to submit photo and video evidence they may have of the Brown University shooting suspect, who is still at large.
The Providence police also launched a phone number for people to submit tip offs.
“We have shared an image of the individual we believe to be the shooter, but we know that there wasn’t a clear shot of the face,” said Providence mayor Brett Smiley at a Saturday night press conference.
Holiday events, church can go ahead as planned, Providence mayor says
As a manhunt for the Brown University shooter continues into the night, Providence mayor Brett Smiley said he is “not recommending” residents cancel their weekend plans.
In a press conference late Saturday, Smiley acknowledged that with roughly a week until Christmas, residents may have commitments to shows, holiday parties, and church.
“We do believe you can safely go to church in the morning,” he said.
