PROVIDENCE, RI Dec 13, 2025 – President Donald Trump addressed reporters late Saturday after being fully briefed on a tragic shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two students dead and nine others injured.
“I’ve been fully briefed on the Brown University situation — what a terrible thing it is,” Trump said. “All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt… Just pray.”
The remarks came as the president returned to the White House, highlighting the ongoing manhunt for the suspect, described by authorities as a male dressed in all black who fled the scene on foot.
The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. ET inside the Barus & Holley building, home to the university’s School of Engineering and Physics Department, during a period when final exams were underway. Officials confirmed the two fatalities and eight of the injured were students, with most victims in critical but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital. A ninth person sustained non-life-threatening injuries from fragments.
A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for the campus and surrounding areas into the evening, with hundreds of law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, searching for the gunman. University officials canceled final exams scheduled for the following day and urged the community to remain vigilant.
Brown University President Christina Paxson called it “a deeply tragic day,” expressing profound sorrow for the victims and their families. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley echoed calls for prayers, noting the approaching holiday season would make the loss even more difficult.
The incident marks another devastating episode of gun violence on a U.S. college campus, prompting widespread condolences and renewed discussions on safety measures. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities releasing surveillance footage of a person of interest and establishing tip lines for the public.
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