Authorities and university officials in Providence, Rhode Island, issued urgent public safety alerts Saturday after reports of an active shooter on the campus of Brown University, prompting a shelter-in-place order and a large-scale law enforcement response.

According to Brown University, the incident was first reported at approximately 4:22 p.m. local time, when the university issued an emergency alert warning of an armed individual near the Barus and Holley Engineering Laboratory.

Students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents were instructed to immediately shelter in place, lock doors, silence mobile phones, and remain hidden until further notice.

The university emphasized standard active-shooter guidance, advising individuals to evacuate if it was safe to do so, hide if evacuation was not possible, and take defensive action only as a last resort.

At approximately 5:27 p.m., a subsequent alert indicated that shots had also been reported near Governor Street, roughly two blocks from the initial scene.

Shortly thereafter, the Providence Police Department confirmed that multiple people had been shot in the area surrounding Brown University.

University officials later confirmed that the shooting occurred at the Barus and Holley Engineering Building, which houses classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls for the engineering and physics departments.

The building was hosting multiple examinations at the time of the incident.

Brown University reported that two individuals were killed as a result of the shooting, and eight additional victims were transported to the hospital, where they were listed in critical but stable condition.

A shelter-in-place order remained in effect as authorities continued to search for the suspect.

Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara stated during an evening news conference that investigators believe a firearm was used in the attack, though no weapon had been recovered as of that time.

Officials were unable to identify the type of firearm involved.

The suspect was described as a male dressed in black. Police said the suspect fled the scene on foot and did not have any direct interaction with law enforcement during the initial incident.

Investigators believe the suspect exited the building through the Hope Street side, though it remains unclear how he entered the facility.

Police confirmed they do not currently have images of the suspect.

Authorities also addressed reports of a separate confrontation involving police and an individual a few blocks away from the university.

While that encounter involved gunfire, officials said it is still unclear whether it is connected to the shooting at Brown University.

Initial reports suggesting a suspect was in custody were later determined to be unconfirmed.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that no suspect was in custody and stated that Brown University, the City of Providence, local law enforcement, and the FBI are working in close coordination to locate the individual responsible.

He added that authorities were not yet able to release information about the victims.

Officials urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues and emphasized that the situation remains active and evolving.

Further updates are expected as law enforcement verifies additional details and the search for the suspect continues.