A mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon left two students dead and several others injured, sending shockwaves through the campus and renewing national concern over gun violence in the United States.
The shooting began shortly after 4 p.m., when a single gunman opened fire on or near campus grounds, according to initial reports. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as students and faculty were urged to shelter in place. Local and state law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale search for the suspect, who remained at large as of Saturday evening.
Authorities said a person of interest was arrested but released Sunday morning after new evidence pointed investigators “in a different direction.” The suspect remains at large.
University officials confirmed that two students were killed in the attack and that several others were injured, with wounds ranging in severity. The victims were identified as Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. Classes and campus events were immediately suspended as authorities secured the area and continued their investigation.
The shooting at Brown comes during a year that has seen a decline in the overall number of mass shootings compared with recent years. Still, gun violence remains a pervasive problem nationwide. In 2025 alone, there have been 393 mass shootings in the United States, highlighting the continued impact on communities across the country.
On the same weekend in Sydney, Australia, a mass shooting killed 15 people and injured many others. Authorities said 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, opened fire on Bondi Beach during a Jewish event where people were celebrating Hanukkah.
Brown University’s President issued a statement expressing grief and solidarity with the victims’ families, calling the shooting “a devastating act of violence that has deeply wounded our community.” Counseling services and support resources were made available to students, faculty and staff.
Law enforcement officials urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and advised the public to remain vigilant as the search for the suspect continues. Investigators have not released details about a possible motive.
As the Brown community mourns, the tragedy adds to the ongoing national conversation about campus safety and gun violence , one that persists even in years when overall incidents appear to decline.
