‘Active Shooter’ Triggers Lockdown at Brown University

Brown University was placed on lockdown Saturday afternoon after reports of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley engineering building prompted a rapid law enforcement response and emergency alerts across campus.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., students and staff received an alert message instructing them to “lock doors, silence phones, and stay hidden until further notice.” The warning, issued through the university’s emergency notification system, urged individuals to follow standard safety protocols: “Run, if you can evacuate safely; hide, if evacuation is not possible; fight, as a last resort.”

Providence Police confirmed that multiple units, including SWAT and campus security officers, responded immediately to the scene. Streets surrounding the university were cordoned off as officers conducted room-by-room searches in and around the engineering complex. Helicopters and drones were also deployed to support the ongoing operation.

As of early Saturday evening, authorities had not confirmed any injuries or fatalities. A spokesperson for the Providence Police Department said that investigators were “methodically clearing each building” and asked residents to avoid the area.

Several students described moments of confusion and fear as the alerts went out.

“I was in the lab when my phone buzzed, and everyone just froze,” said Ava Thompson, a second-year engineering major. “We locked the door, turned off the lights, and waited for updates. You could hear sirens everywhere.”

Another student, Michael Reyes, said he and his classmates had barricaded themselves inside a dormitory. “We just kept refreshing our phones,” he said. “Everyone was messaging each other to make sure they were safe.”

The reported shooting comes amid heightened national concern over campus safety and renewed discussions about security preparedness at American universities. Brown, known for its open-campus layout and collaborative academic environment, has rarely faced such an immediate security threat.

Earlier this week, Jillian Lederman, president of Brown Students for Israel, appeared on Fox News Live to discuss tensions on campus related to antisemitism. In a statement following Saturday’s incident, Lederman said, “Students deserve to feel safe at school — not live in fear of violence or hate.”

University officials have yet to issue a detailed statement about the circumstances surrounding the report. In a voicemail sent to the student body, administrators urged calm while reiterating safety procedures and confirming that law enforcement remained active on campus.

As of 6 p.m., sections of the university remained under lockdown while authorities continued to secure the area. The university advised students to remain indoors until an official all-clear is issued.

Further information is expected to be released once police confirm the details of the incident.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.