Shooting at Brown University Claims Lives of Two Students

The tragic shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025, has left two students dead and several others injured, prompting a massive emergency response. The violence erupted at the Barus and Holley building shortly after 4 p.m., resulting in an active investigation and ongoing concerns about campus safety.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores ongoing debates about security measures in educational institutions across the United States. As communities grapple with the shock of such violence, the response from local authorities and university stakeholders will play a crucial role in how safety protocols are evaluated and reformed in the future.

Key Developments

• The shooting began at approximately 4 p.m. in the Barus and Holley building, with initial 911 calls indicating a shooting victim on Manning Walk.
• A swift response from police led to multiple detentions near the scene, including suspects identified in various buildings.
• The Providence Fire Department declared a mass casualty incident to manage the inflow of injured victims, with Rhode Island Hospital prepared to treat the most critically injured.
• Witnesses reported seeing a male suspect in dark clothing and a face covering, prompting campus lockdowns as hundreds sought shelter in various buildings.
• Authorities identified the shooter as Claudio Neves-Valente, a former Brown student who subsequently took his own life after a manhunt.

Full Report

Incident Overview

On December 13, chaos unfolded at Brown University as reports indicated multiple individuals had been shot around the campus. Following an initial flurry of 911 calls, Brown University police alerted city authorities about the active shooting, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving several nearby buildings.

At approximately 4:22 p.m., police reported encountering a suspect in a basement at 167 Thayer St., with further updates revealing one person in custody by 4:38 p.m. Reports indicated a significant presence of victims scattered throughout hallways, classrooms, and outdoor areas.

Emergency Response

Providence police and fire departments acted quickly. Fire officials termed the situation a mass casualty incident, requesting protective gear for medics as they awaited police clearance of the scene. Witnesses sheltered in place to avoid the unfolding violence, with large groups barricading themselves inside buildings, including Solomon Hall.

By evening, officers had managed to clear the buildings and secure the area. Students were subsequently relocated to designated safety points as the situation stabilized.

Shooter Identification

Claudio Neves-Valente, the individual identified as the shooter, was a former student at Brown who had withdrawn from the physics program in 2003. Upon conclusion of his violent rampage, which also involved the fatal shooting of an MIT professor two days later, Neves-Valente ended his life following a multistate manhunt.

Investigation Details

Despite his past affiliation with Brown University, the university’s President Christina Paxson emphasized that Neves-Valente had no recent ties to the institution. Investigations into the motive remain ongoing, with initial statements suggesting he may have perceived the MIT professor as embodying success he felt he had failed to achieve.

Context & Previous Events

This incident at Brown University highlights not only the contentious issue of campus security but also the broader implications of gun violence in America. Local authorities and university officials have faced mounting scrutiny over safety measures as communities seek accountability and reform in the wake of such tragedies.