Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that killed two

A person of interest has been detained following a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that killed at least two people and wounded nine others on Saturday. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced the development on Sunday, stating the individual was taken into custody earlier in the morning as the investigation continues.

Details on the investigation and victims

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez provided limited details, confirming the detained individual is in his 20s and not his 30s as initially reported. He stated authorities are not currently looking for any other suspects but emphasized the investigation remains active. Mayor Smiley reported that seven victims are in stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged. Information about the victims' identities has not been released.

Campus response and academic cancellations

The shelter-in-place order for the university and surrounding area has been lifted. In response to the tragedy, Brown University Provost Francis J. Doyle III announced that all remaining undergraduate, graduate, and medical classes, exams, and projects for the Fall 2025 semester are canceled. The shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, triggering a massive response from campus police, Providence police, fire, EMS, and federal agencies including the FBI and ATF.

Initial confusion and ongoing federal involvement

The university initially stated a suspect had been taken into custody on Saturday but later retracted that announcement, clarifying the search was ongoing until Sunday's detention. Multiple federal and local agencies are coordinating closely on the active investigation, which is one of the deadliest incidents of violence on a US college campus in recent years.