UPDATE: A shooting at Brown University on Saturday has left 2 dead and at least 8 others injured, with the gunman still at large. The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. at the Barus and Holley building during finals week, a time of heightened stress for students.
Survivor Zoe Weissman, a 20-year-old sophomore at Brown, found herself in a chillingly familiar situation. A survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, Weissman recognized the panic immediately when a friend urged her to take cover. “I think mentally, you know, I feel like I’m 12 again. This just feels exactly like how I felt in 2018,” she shared. “But honestly, I’m really angry… I’m just in shock.”
In response to the ongoing threat, Mayor Brett Smiley ordered a shelter-in-place for students and residents near the campus. “We have all available resources to find the suspect,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Police confirm the shooter, described as a male in black clothing, fled the scene on foot. The community is in turmoil as families await information about their loved ones. Brown University President Christina H. Paxson expressed deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “We lost two community members today who were fatal victims of the shooting… Our hearts are with their families.”
Weissman’s experience highlights a growing concern: the normalization of gun violence in schools. “There are already students who survived the school shooting in Oxford and then went to Michigan State and survived another school shooting. This isn’t a new phenomenon,” she warned, stressing that “no one is safe” until lawmakers take action.
As of now, the condition of the injured victims remains critical but stable. The situation is still evolving with details emerging rapidly. Authorities are working diligently to locate the suspect and ensure the safety of the campus community.
This tragic event has reignited discussions about gun control and student safety across the nation. As students and families grapple with the aftermath, Weissman’s call for action resonates with a growing number of voices demanding change.
The Brown University community is in mourning, and many are left asking: What will it take for real change to happen? Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
