At least two killed, eight injured: mayor
Kimberlee Kruesi And Alanna Durkin Richer
Updated ,first published
Theology: At least two people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting at the engineering building at Brown University on Saturday, the second day of final exams, and their condition was critical but stable, the mayor of Providence said.
The Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to take shelter.
Police did not immediately release details about the number of victims, their conditions or the circumstances of the attack.
University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, but later said that was not the case and that police were still searching for the suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Brown’s emergency notification system.
“We’re still getting information about what’s going on, but we’re just telling people to lock their doors and stay alert,” said John Goncalves, a member of the Providence Council, which includes the Brown campus.
“As a Brown alumnus who loves the Brown community and represents this district, I am heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and people affected.”
The reported shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the university’s engineering and physics department. According to the university’s website, the building contains more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices.
Engineering design exams were being held in the building when the shooting occurred.
US President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the attack late in the afternoon.
“May God give patience to the victims and their families!” he said on the social media site.
Officers carrying assault weapons and emergency vehicles lined several streets surrounding the engineering school.
Students were asked to shelter in place and people were told to avoid the area. A police officer warned media to hide in vehicles as the area was still an active crime scene.
Officials cautioned that the information is preliminary as investigators work to determine what happened.
Kristy DosReis, public information officer for the city of Providence, said police are actively investigating the scene and are still gathering information. The FBI said it was assisting with the response.
DosReis declined to give details on the number of people injured or whether there were any deaths.
“Multiple people were shot,” he said. “An active investigation is ongoing and we urge people to shelter in place.”
Brown is a private institution with approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Saturday was the second day of the fall semester final exams.
More to come
AP, Reuters
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