Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, has issued an emergency alert reporting a shooting incident on campus. According to the police, multiple individuals have been injured by gunshots.
Initially, law enforcement stated that one suspect had been arrested, but later retracted the statement, indicating that they are still searching for one or more suspects.
Brown University is one of the eight prestigious Ivy League schools in the United States.
The campus alert instructed students to remain sheltered, lock doors and windows, and keep their phones on silent until further notice. The exact number of casualties is currently unknown.
The alert further advised, “Remember: if you are in the affected area, evacuate to safety as soon as possible; if unable to evacuate, seek cover; as a last resort, take action to protect yourself.”
According to the alert, Brown University and Providence Police officers are at the scene near a building on the east side of the campus.
The incident reportedly occurred near the Barus & Holley Building, a seven-story structure housing the School of Engineering and Physics Department. The building contains 117 laboratories, 150 offices, 15 classrooms, and 29 research rooms.
An Associated Press report mentioned a police officer warning media reporters to take cover in their vehicles as the area remained dangerous. Many officers were seen carrying assault rifles, and emergency vehicles filled the streets around the School of Engineering.
Around 4:49 p.m. Eastern Time, the Providence Police Department released a post on social media indicating a significant presence of law enforcement and firefighters near Hope Street, close to the university.
The post stated, “Exercise caution and avoid the area until further notice.”
Providence’s Chief Public Information Officer, Kristy DosReis, mentioned that officials are still gathering information.
According to information on the Brown University website, this Ivy League institution is a private nonprofit organization with approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students.
CNN’s analysis of gun violence data, Education Week, and a report from Everytown for Gun Safety revealed that more than 70 school shooting incidents have occurred in the United States so far this year.