On December 14, 2025, a shooting incident occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to nine others. The shooting took place in a classroom within the Holley engineering building around 4:00 PM local time. Witnesses reported that the assailant, described as a man dressed in black, opened fire before fleeing the scene. Surveillance footage captured the suspect leaving the building, but their identity and connection to the university remain unconfirmed.

Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez confirmed that a suspect in their 30s has been taken into custody, although details regarding the suspect's motives and relationship to the university are still unclear. The injured individuals were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, with one in critical condition and several others requiring intensive care. Brown University President Christina Paxson acknowledged the emotional toll on the community, stating, "Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us."

Among those affected were Mia Tretta and Zoe Weissman, both of whom have previously survived school shootings. Tretta was shot in the abdomen during a 2019 incident at Saugus High School in California, while Weissman witnessed a shooting at a school in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 that resulted in 17 fatalities. Their experiences have led them to express frustration and anger at the ongoing prevalence of gun violence in educational settings. Tretta remarked, "No one should ever have to go through one shooting, let alone two," reflecting the troubling reality faced by students who have encountered multiple incidents of violence.

The incident has reignited discussions surrounding gun control in the United States, where gun laws are among the most permissive in the developed world. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 389 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2025 alone, with over 500 reported in the previous year. Despite Rhode Island's reputation for having some of the strictest gun laws in the country, this incident underscores the ongoing concerns about safety in educational environments.

In response to the shooting, local authorities increased police presence in the area, and many businesses chose to close as the community grappled with the aftermath. The FBI has established a command post to investigate the incident, utilizing advanced geolocation capabilities to analyze leads. The lack of immediate information regarding the suspect's identity and motive has prompted public calls for transparency in the investigation, highlighting the need for clarity in understanding the implications of such violent acts on community safety and social cohesion.