Shooting at Brown University in US kills 2, injures 8

Providence: At least two people died and eight others were wounded when a man wearing black clothing opened fire at Brown University on Saturday amid final examinations, officials said.

Police launched an extensive search operation across the Ivy League campus and into a nearby upscale residential area with historic brick houses, checking classrooms, backyards and porches after the gunfire broke out.

Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara said the suspect was a man dressed in dark clothes who was last seen leaving the engineering building where the shooting occurred. Investigators believe the attacker used a handgun, a law enforcement official familiar with the case said, requesting anonymity because the investigation is still underway, TNIE reported.

Authorities noted that Rhode Island has among the toughest gun laws in the United States. They pointed out that the Democrat-led legislature approved a ban on assault-style weapons last year, which will prohibit the sale and manufacture of certain high-powered firearms when it comes into force next July, though possession will still be allowed.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said a shelter-in-place order had been imposed and urged residents living near the campus to remain indoors and not return home until the restriction is lifted. He added that all available resources were being deployed to track down the suspect.

Hospital officials said eight people suffering from gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital. A spokesperson, Kelly Brennan, said six patients were in critical but stable condition, one remained critical, and another was listed as stable.

Nearly five hours after the incident, police in tactical gear began escorting students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness centre.

Officials said the shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley building, a seven-storey facility that houses Brown University’s School of Engineering and physics department. According to the university’s website, the complex includes more than 100 laboratories along with numerous classrooms and offices.

Brown University, the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, enrols about 7,300 undergraduate and over 3,000 graduate students. The university notes that annual tuition, housing and related fees total close to $100,000.