Brown University in lockdown as police search for gunman after shooting kills two people
A major manhunt is underway after at least two people died and several others seriously injured when a gunman opened fire on a top Ivy League school.
At least two people have died and eight others are in a critical condition after a shooting at a top Ivy League school in the United States.
First responders rushed to the scene of Brown University in the state of Rhode Island after reports of an active shooter on Saturday just before 4.30pm.
In a press conference, police confirmed initially there were a total of 10 victims but that figure rose by one after a person with bullet fragments presented to hospital.
Those on campus, and surrounding neighbourhoods, have been told to shelter in place.
“We are encouraging people stay inside until there are further updates,” Deputy Chief of Providence Police Tim O’Hara told reporters.
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Authorities confirmed at least one shooter remains on the run. The suspected gunman, who fled on foot, has been described as “male” and “dressed all in black”.
Police had an interaction with an individual that was initially believed to be involved, but that was quickly determined to be not the case.
Residents in nearby neighbourhoods who may have CCTV cameras or door bell cameras are being urged to review footage to see if they spot anything suspicious.
Officials say the eight victims rushed to hospital are in a critical, but stable condition.
No further details could be provided on the victims.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the shooting happened inside the engineering and physics building where there are hundreds of labs, offices and at least 15 classrooms.
It is understood the doors to the building were unlocked as students were taking their final exams, meaning anyone could accesss it at the time.
One student, Chiangheng Chien, told local media he and some of his classmates hid in a locked room for two hours before police arrived.
“We decided to open the door and let the police come in and search our body and search our lab and then we were told to get out of this building right away,” said Chien.
“There were these armoured police officers with all these weapons.”
Another student said she heard five to six gunshots.
A firearm has not been located, police said.
Brown University had 18 months ago held an active shooter drill involving police from the area, school and fire and rescue officials.
“It’s something we certainly plan for, practice for, rehearse, but never want to see it come to fruition like it did today,” the school’s Police Shief Rodney Chatman said.
The incidents comes on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 20 young students and six staff dead in Connecticut.
US President Donald Trump, who earlier visited Maryland for an Army-Navy football game, said he is being updated on the shooting.
“I’ve been fully briefed on the Brown University situation, what a terrible thing it is, and all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt it looks like,” he told reporters at the White House.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on the scene assisting local police.
The prestigious university in Providence, near Boston, has about 11,000 students.
This is a developing story. More to come.
Originally published as Brown University in lockdown as police search for gunman after shooting kills two people
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