Bishop of Providence issues statement after shooting at Brown University

A residence hall at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. / Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

CNA Staff, Dec 15, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

After a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island over the weekend, Providence Bishop Bruce Lewandowski issued a statement asking for God’s guidance and expressing his grief in the wake of the tragedy.

On the afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 13, while approximately 60 Brown students participated in a study session for final exams in the Barus and Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the physics department, an unidentified shooter opened fire, leaving two dead and nine injured. 

“As are many, I am deeply saddened and troubled by the senseless shooting today at Brown University in Providence,” Lewandoski wrote. “Let us unite in prayer for those who lost their lives, for the injured, for the Brown University community and all affected by this tragedy.”

As of Monday morning, Providence police continue the search for the shooter. According to Boston’s WCBV-5, a person of interest was released Sunday and the search for the killer continues.

“After a review of the evidence gathered, it was determined the person of interest needed to be released,” said Providence mayor Brett Smiley. “But until such time as we have an individual in custody who we are confident is responsible … we’re going to continue to leave all doors open until such time that we’re in a place where we feel confident we’ve got the right person,” Smiley said.

Other than a short video that did not show the suspect’s face that was released to the public on Saturday, authorities said they have no additional images to release.

“There just weren’t a lot of cameras in that Brown building,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said at a press conference. “We have a murderer out there, frankly.”

The local station also reported Monday that one of the injured persons has been discharged from the hospital, one remains in critical but stable condition, and the remaining seven are in stable condition in the hospital. 

Brown University canceled classes and final exams for all undergraduate and graduate school students in the wake of the tragedy.

In a statement Dec. 13, Brown president, Christina H. Paxson said: “We have reached out to the families of all the hospitalized shooting victims and are offering any support we can. Our hearts go out to all of them, and we stand ready to give them anything they need. No parent or family member should ever have to endure this pain, suffering, or the continuing fear that we know is very real for so many Brown families right now.”

In his statement, Lewandowski offered prayers for law enforcement officials and first responders, and offered the use of the diocese’s “resources, clergy and personnel, and charitable assistance wherever needed.” 

“May God bless us all and may Our Lady of Providence keep us in her care,” the bishop’s statement concluded.