The shooting occurred at around 4:05 pm local time in the vicinity of the university campus. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said several of the injured are in critical condition and warned that the death toll could rise. Emergency responders rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals as police secured the area.

According to law enforcement officials, the attacker is believed to be a man dressed entirely in black who fled the scene on foot. A person was briefly detained during the initial response but was later released after investigators determined there was no connection to the shooting. The suspect remains at large.

Brown University issued repeated alerts urging students, staff and residents in surrounding neighbourhoods to shelter in place. The lockdown was still in effect late Saturday night as police conducted building-to-building searches and reviewed surveillance footage. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or whether the victims were specifically targeted.

US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and was monitoring developments. State and federal agencies, including the FBI, are assisting local police in the investigation.

The attack adds to growing concerns over gun violence in the United States. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that nearly 400 mass shootings have been recorded nationwide so far this year. Under the organisation’s definition, a mass shooting involves four or more people killed or injured, excluding the shooter.

Saturday’s incident at Brown University is among the deadliest campus shootings in 2025. University officials said counselling services and support resources will be made available once the immediate security situation is resolved.

Police have appealed to the public for information, urging anyone who may have seen the suspect or has relevant video footage to contact authorities. Investigators said updates will be shared as the search continues and the campus remains on high alert.