A manhunt is underway after two students were killed and nine others injured at Brown in Providence, Rhode Island on .
The attacker opened fire inside a classroom at around 16:00 local time on Saturday, in a building where exams were being held.
The university, one of the oldest institutions in the US, was put on lockdown as police launched a search for the gunman, who remains at large.
Students in parts of the campus are still being instructed to remain where they are until police can safely remove them from the area.
The injured are in a critical but stable condition
Rhode Island Hospital officials reported that .
The identities of the victims and the injured have not yet been released by authorities.
“It’s a day we hoped would never come for our community. It is deeply painful for all of us,” Brown University President Christina Paxon said in a statement.
Police have released little information about the male suspect, not releasing his identity or a motive. It remains unknown if he had any connection to the university.
What do we know about the perpetrator?
CCTV footage shows the suspect leaving the building on foot after the attack, but his face is not visible.
Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara said the assailant was dressed entirely in black and may have been wearing a mask. It is not known what type of firearm he used, and the weapon has not been located.
“We are using every means available to locate the suspect,” he added, noting that additional armed police forces have been deployed to search the area.
The shootings took place in the Barus and Holley building, which houses Brown University’s School of Engineering. The attack took place in a large classroom on the ground floor.
What happened?
An economics teacher told local public radio station Ocean State Radio that the incident happened during a mock quiz for her class, which was being moderated by a teaching assistant.
“She said the shooter came through the doors, yelled something — she couldn’t remember what exactly — and started shooting,” Rachel Friedberg said.
“Students started panicking and trying to get away, crouching down in the auditorium seats, and then some were hit by bullets,” he added.
Authorities evacuated the building on Saturday afternoon, but were unable to locate either the attacker or the weapon.
Residents in the greater area around Brown University have been instructed to stay indoors or avoid the area until the stay-at-home order is lifted.
In a statement, the university said police would enter non-residential buildings to escort attendees to safety.
Restaurants around the campus have locked their doors, with staff and customers staying inside until the emergency measure is lifted.
Immediately after the shooting, there were reports that a suspect had been arrested, however it was soon confirmed that the person had no involvement in the attack.
“We are terrified”
Marie Camara, 20, a Brown University student from New York, told The Associated Press that as she left the library she ran to hide in a restaurant. She remained there hidden for three hours.
“Everyone is like me – shocked and horrified that something like this happened,” he said.
University exams scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled, Chancellor Frank Doyle announced.
Trump: Horrible incident
US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on his return to the White House, described the incident as “horrific”.
“All we can do right now is pray for the victims and those who have been seriously injured,” he said.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said in a statement: “Our state capitol experienced an unimaginable tragedy today. Our thoughts are with the people of Providence and all those affected.”
Brown University, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the USA, belongs to the Ivy League, the group of elite universities in the northeastern part of the country.
The university, which has more than 11,000 students, is located in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, about 80 kilometers from Boston and 290 kilometers from New York.
