Crime
2 people killed and 8 wounded after shooting during exams at Brown University in Providence
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 OโHara 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.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.