Trump urges prayers for victims of US varsity shooting

US President Donald Trump. Photo credit: AP

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President Donald Trump has urged Americans to “pray for the victims” following a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two people dead and several others injured on Saturday.

The Ivy League campus was placed on lockdown after reports of an active shooter near the Barus & Holley Engineering Building, with police and emergency vehicles flooding the area.

During a press conference shortly before 7 p.m., officials confirmed that two people were killed, while eight others were in critical but stable condition at the hospital.

Another victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Returning to the White House on Saturday night, Trump addressed reporters briefly after stepping off Marine One.

“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 who were very badly hurt. We’ll inform you later as to what’s happening. It’s a shame. Just pray,” the president said.

Vice President JD Vance also reacted to the shooting in a post on X.

“Terrible news out of Rhode Island this evening. We’re all monitoring the situation, and the FBI stands ready to do anything to help. We’re all thinking of and praying for the victims tonight,” Vance wrote.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents were assisting in the manhunt.

“FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University, and we will provide all capabilities necessary. Please pray for all those involved,” Patel said.

Students were first alerted at 4:22 p.m. local time and instructed to “run, hide and fight” following reports of an active shooter near the engineering complex. They were later told to silence their phones and shelter in place.

In an update issued at 5:11 p.m., Brown University officials said no suspect was in custody, walking back earlier reports that someone had been detained. Authorities later confirmed that shots were also fired on Governor Street, several blocks from the campus.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the shooter entered the engineering building while an examination was in progress.

“The doors were unlocked, and the suspect walked right in,” he told CNN.

The suspect has been described as a man wearing black clothing and remains at large, according to officials. SWAT teams were deployed as law enforcement continued searching the area.

The shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley Engineering Building, a seven-storey facility housing Brown University’s School of Engineering and physics department. The building contains more than 100 laboratories, along with dozens of classrooms and offices. Multiple final examinations were scheduled there between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Providence City Council member John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus, expressed grief over the incident.

“We’re still getting information, but we’re telling people to lock their doors and stay vigilant,” he said. “As a Brown alum who loves this community, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the families and those affected.”

In a statement released shortly after 6:30 p.m., the university confirmed the fatalities and urged continued caution.

“This remains an active crime scene, and law enforcement continues to search for the suspect. The situation is ongoing, and all members of the community should continue to shelter in place,” the statement said.

Brown University later expressed gratitude to emergency responders and reiterated safety instructions for students and staff.

The shooting is among more than 70 school shootings recorded nationwide this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Olugbenga is a fine-grained journalist with over nine years of experience. He loves the smell of a good lead and has a penchant for finding out interesting good reports.

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