Brown University campus, where there is an active search for a shooter. Photo: SCOTT EISEN/AFP
At least two people were killed and eight critically wounded, when a shooter opened fire during exams at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Authorities say they're still searching for the shooter, who was described as a male dressed in black, but few details were immediately available about the suspect.
The shooting happened at an engineering and physics building, where exams were scheduled this afternoon, according to the school.
One student told CNN affiliate WJAR he hid under his desk for two hours, waiting for police to clear the building.
President Donald Trump says he's been briefed on the shooting. Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are helping local law enforcement.
Providence Deputy Chief of Police Tim O'Hara urged residents in the area to review doorbell camera footage for "anything that looks suspicious".
O'Hara added that police were looking for relevant video on surveillance cameras, as they continued to search for the shooter.
Brown is a private Ivy League research university and one of the oldest higher-education institutions in the country.
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that the victims of the shooting at Brown University were "very badly hurt" and that "all we can do right now is pray".
"I've been fully briefed on the Brown University situation," he said. "What a terrible thing it is, and all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt it looks like.
"We'll inform you later as to what's happening, but it's a shame," the president added, as he was returning from the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore.
Vice President JD Vance echoed the president's comments, saying in a post on X: "We're all thinking of and praying for the victims tonight.
"Terrible news out of Rhode Island this evening. We're all monitoring the situation and the FBI stands ready to do anything to help."
Terrible news out of Rhode Island this evening. We're all monitoring the situation and the FBI stands ready to do anything to help.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 13, 2025
We're all thinking of and praying for the victims tonight.
The president took to social media earlier to say he had been briefed on the shooting.
Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, said they were assisting local authorities, as the investigation continues.
- CNN
