BREAKING: A mass shooting at Brown University during final exams late Saturday night has left two dead and nine others injured. The gunman unleashed more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun inside a classroom in the Barus & Holley building, prompting urgent responses from local and national leaders.
President Donald Trump expressed condolences, stating, “Two are looking down on us right now from heaven.” His remarks were captured in a video shared by NBC News. The shooting, which is now being investigated by authorities, has shaken the Providence community to its core.
Senator Elizabeth Warren described the incident as “horrific,” taking to social media to emphasize the need for immediate action against gun violence, stating, “Our children should be safe at school.” Her sentiments were echoed by Senator Ed Markey, who called for an end to the “painful epidemic of gun violence.”
Senator Chris Murphy, who has been vocal about gun control since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting 13 years ago, lamented that “a community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this.” He highlighted the ongoing fear students will experience when returning to campus, questioning their safety in academic spaces.
At a press conference, Senator Jack Reed expressed his heartbreak over the tragedy, reflecting on the anniversary of Sandy Hook. “This has been a horrible, terrible moment,” he said, but pointed out that “in moments like this, we see the best of Rhode Island,” praising the efforts of emergency responders and community support.
Authorities have released surveillance footage of a person of interest, identified as Benjamin Erickson, an Army veteran from Wisconsin, who was taken into custody early Sunday morning.
The human toll of this tragedy is profound. Brown University student Mia Tretta, who was previously injured in a school shooting at Saugus High School in California, shared her pain, stating, “No one in this country even assumes it’s going to happen to them.” Her powerful words resonate deeply, as the nation grapples with the frequency of such violence.
Kendall Turner, 19, a critically wounded victim, was confirmed to have attended Durham Academy. The community is now rallying around the victims and their families, as the reality of this senseless violence sinks in.
Senator Murphy directed criticism at President Trump, accusing him of exacerbating violence through policies that restore gun rights to felons and cut bipartisan mental health funding. “Additional violence is knowable and foreseeable,” Murphy warned, underlining the urgency for legislative change.
As the investigation unfolds, and the community begins to heal, the urgent call for action against gun violence echoes louder than ever. The implications of this tragic event will likely resonate throughout the country, sparking renewed discussions on gun control and safety in schools.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
