PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Diya TV) — Brown University issued an urgent campuswide alert Saturday afternoon reporting an active shooter near the Barus & Holley Engineering building, triggering a shelter-in-place order and a major law enforcement response in the area. As of early evening, the university said police do not have a suspect in custody and are continuing to search for one or more suspects.
What Brown has said so far:
Brown’s Emergency Information website posted an initial alert at 4:22 p.m. ET warning: “There’s an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering,” instructing students and staff to lock doors, silence phones, and remain hidden.
At 5:11 p.m. ET, Brown updated its alert, walking back earlier indications of a detention and stating: police “do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).” The update also said Brown was coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies and that emergency medical personnel were on scene.
Reports of additional gunfire near Governor Street
The Brown Daily Herald reported that a 5:27 p.m. update from the university’s Department of Public Safety referenced shots fired near Governor Street, with law enforcement responding.
The same report cited Providence Fire radio traffic indicating “at least 20 victims” were reportedly injured, but officials had not publicly confirmed casualty figures at the time of publication.
(Diya TV note: Scanner/radio traffic can be incomplete or wrong during fast-moving emergencies. We will update once confirmed by police, EMS, or hospital officials.)
Police presence and public warnings
Providence police issued a public warning about a “heavy” police and fire presence near Hope Street by Brown’s campus and urged the public to avoid the area.
What’s confirmed and what isn’t:
Authorities have confirmed an active response and ongoing search, but key details remain unclear, including:
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Whether there are confirmed injuries or fatalities (no official totals released as of early evening).
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The number of suspects involved (Brown’s alert referenced “suspect(s)”).
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The shooter’s identity and motive (not released).
Context
The incident unfolded during the fall semester’s final exam period at the Ivy League university, which enrolls roughly 7,300 undergraduates and 3,000+ graduate students, according to reporting citing university figures.
Safety guidance
Brown’s alerts instruct community members to shelter in place, stay away from the Barus & Holley area, and follow official updates. Anyone in the Providence area should avoid the immediate campus perimeter until law enforcement gives an all-clear.
This is a developing story. Diya TV will update as Brown University, Providence Police, and emergency officials release confirmed information.
