PROVIDENCE – Emergency responders across the state were called to Providence early Saturday evening for a mass casualty event at Brown University.
Early reports noted a masked suspect fled the scene around 4:30 p.m., and police were clearing the Barus & Holley Engineering building to locate victims.
A text alert was sent to members of the campus community alerting them of an active shooter, also urging them to lock doors and stay hidden.
Unconfirmed reports have stated the were up to 20 injured, with rescues from nearly every town in Rhode Island headed to Thayer Street to respond. As information continued to come out Saturday night, reports stated there were two killed in the incident and nine hospitalized.
Glocester emergency personnel went to help with the response, and at 5 p.m. Burrillville had three rescues headed to the scene. Providence officials ordered that all non-critical patients be taken to Hasbro Hospital.
A second alert sent out to students and staff around 5:10 p.m. stated there was one suspect in custody and advised those in the area to remain hidden. But Providence police stated later in evening that the individual turned out not to be involved and suspect remained at large. The suspect is said to be a man in his 30s dressed in dark clothing.
Editor’s note: The above was updated with the latest information available as of Saturday evening at 10:50 p.m.
Just a thank you to all those that think guns are the answer. It should be your child that dies during the holiday season.