usa news

By Nikhil Bhowmik
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Dec. 13, 2025

Two students were killed and nine people injured in a shooting at Brown University in Providence. Authorities are searching for a suspect who fled on foot.

Hunt Underway for Suspect After Deadly Shooting at Brown University

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Authorities continued an intensive search late Saturday after a shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine others injured, prompting a campus lockdown and a large multi-agency law enforcement response during the university’s final exam period.

The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon inside an engineering and physics building where students were taking end-of-semester exams, officials said. The suspect, described by police as a male dressed in black, fled the scene on foot and remained at large as of late Saturday night.

University officials and local authorities urged students and nearby residents to shelter in place as hundreds of law enforcement officers searched the surrounding area.

Campus Disrupted During Finals

Brown University, a private Ivy League research institution in Providence, enrolls more than 10,000 students and is generally regarded as a low-crime campus. Saturday’s shooting disrupted one of the most critical academic periods of the year.

Students in nearby buildings reported confusion as emergency alerts were sent to phones and police sirens echoed across campus.

Freshman Shiney Mayanja said she was studying with three friends when information about the shooting began circulating.

“At first, we didn’t realize how serious it was,” Mayanja told CNN. “Then we saw people running outside and police lights everywhere. That’s when we knew something was very wrong.”

After receiving an alert, Mayanja said they barricaded themselves inside a small room, pushing a table against the door and turning off the lights. Police later evacuated the group, asking if they had heard or seen anything before directing them to another building.

“We were scared for our lives,” she said. “You don’t expect something like this to happen here.”

What Authorities Have Confirmed

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said investigators recovered shell casings from the scene but declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Yes, it’s shell casings, but we’re not going to release specific information about that type of evidence,” Smiley said during a Saturday evening press conference.

Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, pending notification of next of kin. At least two of those killed were confirmed to be students. Officials did not immediately clarify whether all nine injured individuals were students, faculty, or visitors.

More than 400 officers from local, state, and federal agencies — including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — were deployed to the area. Helicopters, K-9 units, and tactical teams were used to search streets and buildings near the campus.

Police said there was no indication the suspect remained inside university buildings but emphasized that the search was ongoing.

Federal and University Response

President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting, according to the White House. Federal law enforcement agencies joined the investigation shortly after the incident.

Brown University President Christina Paxson issued a statement expressing condolences and emphasizing campus safety.

“This is a devastating day for our community,” Paxson said. “Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and with everyone affected.”

The university suspended classes and exams for the remainder of the weekend and said counseling and mental health resources would be expanded for students, faculty, and staff.

Campus security coordinated with Providence police to secure buildings, manage evacuations, and communicate with students and parents.

Students Describe Fear and Confusion

Students described sheltering in place, barricading doors, and navigating evacuations as information evolved throughout the afternoon and evening.

Some said they heard what they believed were gunshots, while others learned of the incident through emergency alerts. Several students said evacuations were conducted quickly, with limited direction on where to go.

“It was chaotic,” said a junior who requested anonymity. “Everyone was just trying to get somewhere safe.”

Parents across the country contacted university hotlines and social media pages seeking updates. Some traveled to Providence after learning of the shooting.

“I kept refreshing my phone, hoping to hear from my daughter,” said one parent.

Investigation Continues

As of Saturday night, authorities had not identified a motive or indicated whether the victims were targeted.

Officials urged anyone with information, including video footage or tips, to contact law enforcement.

“This is an active and fluid investigation,” a senior law enforcement official said. “Public cooperation is essential.”

Authorities also warned against spreading unverified information, noting that misinformation can hinder investigations and heighten public anxiety.

Community in Mourning

The shooting occurred just days before students were expected to leave campus for winter break, intensifying the impact on the university community.

“This puts everything into perspective,” Mayanja said. “Finals don’t matter anymore. Two people lost their lives right before the holidays.”

University officials said details about vigils and memorials would be shared once the security situation stabilizes. Local faith leaders and community organizations also offered counseling and support services.

Broader Safety Concerns

The incident has renewed national conversations about campus safety and emergency preparedness at colleges and universities.

While Brown University maintains emergency alert systems and campus police, experts note that active shooter incidents remain difficult to predict and prevent.

“These situations evolve rapidly,” said a former campus security consultant. “The focus now is accountability, support for victims, and helping the community recover.”

What Comes Next

Officials said updates would be released as confirmed information becomes available. The search for the suspect continued late Saturday.

“We will not stop until the individual responsible is brought to justice,” Smiley said.

For the Brown University community, the days ahead are expected to focus on mourning, support, and recovery.

“This campus is more than buildings,” Paxson said. “It is people.”

US–Russia tensions intensify as new back-channel talks with Ukraine emerge, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s strategy and global diplomacy.”

Date: December 7–8, 2025
Locations: Washington, D.C. & Moscow (International)

The geopolitical landscape shifted sharply this week as both the United States and Russia intensified public messaging over Ukraine while quietly testing new diplomatic channels behind the scenes. Moscow’s leadership welcomed America’s freshly announced National Security Strategy (NSS), signaling that parts of President Donald Trump’s regional-priority approach “align largely with Russia’s view.” At the same time, U.S. mediators held unpublicized discussions with Ukrainian officials in Miami, indicating early attempts to restart negotiations more than three years into the conflict.

Together, these developments suggest Washington may be preparing to recalibrate its involvement in the war — a move that could alter security balances across Europe and reshape global alliances.

— Russia Responds Positively to US Strategy Shift

Russia’s initial reaction to the new NSS was unusually warm. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Sokolov said the strategy’s reduced emphasis on global dominance and greater focus on regional stability “fits the international structure Russia has long advocated.” His remarks, made during a briefing in Moscow, signaled that the Kremlin sees an opening to influence future negotiations through areas of overlapping strategic interest.

However, U.S. officials have approached Moscow’s praise with caution. A senior White House national-security aide, speaking anonymously, told reporters:
“Russia praises U.S. policy when it benefits Russia. That doesn’t change the reality on the ground in Ukraine.”

American analysts warn that Russia’s positive language may be a tactical move designed to frame the U.S. as shifting positions — even if Washington’s core stance remains unchanged. According to Dr. Elise Carver, a global-strategy researcher at Georgetown University, “Moscow wants the world to believe that the U.S. is slowly stepping back. It’s psychological positioning, not diplomacy.”

European allies have reacted nervously, with several NATO states privately expressing concern that Moscow’s endorsement could be used to drive wedges within the alliance.

 — Quiet U.S.–Ukraine Talks in Miami Hint at New Diplomatic Push

While Russia voices approval publicly, the U.S. has been advancing back-channel diplomacy. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that U.S. mediators held a series of discreet meetings with Ukrainian representatives at a secure federal facility near Miami, aimed at exploring frameworks for a negotiated settlement.

One U.S. mediator described the talks as “serious but nowhere near breakthrough territory.”

Ukrainian officials, still firm on territorial sovereignty, reportedly told their U.S. counterparts that meaningful negotiations cannot begin until Russia shows “a real, verifiable commitment to de-escalation.” A Ukrainian diplomat who attended the meeting said the country remains “deeply cautious” about any diplomatic shift.
“We’ve been burned before,” he said. “Words aren’t progress. Withdrawal is progress.”

Despite skepticism, some U.S. officials believe the moment may be ripe for limited diplomatic engagement, especially as global fatigue over the prolonged conflict grows. European Union foreign-policy chief Marta Klein stated that the EU supports any dialogue “that brings genuine peace closer, not one that simply freezes the conflict.”

 — Global Stakes as Washington Reassesses Its Role

The potential recalibration of U.S. involvement carries major implications. A reduced global footprint — consistent with the new NSS framework — could shift the burden of Ukraine support more heavily onto European nations. Economists warn that prolonged uncertainty may also impact global energy markets, which remain sensitive to disruptions from Eastern Europe.

On the streets of Kyiv, reactions are mixed. Some residents say they welcome any step toward ending the war, while others fear that diplomatic pressure could force Ukraine into concessions.
Local shopkeeper Olena Rudenko expressed frustration:
“Everyone talks about strategy, but we live the reality. We want peace, but not peace that costs our land.”

In Washington, lawmakers from both parties are calling for clarity. Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Thomas Weller (D-VA) said Congress expects full transparency on any diplomatic contacts. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers argue that diplomacy is impossible without tougher pressure on Moscow.

As winter grips Eastern Europe, the stakes are rising. The coming months may determine whether the conflict edges toward negotiation — or escalates into another year of confrontation.

One thing is clear: the U.S.–Russia–Ukraine triangle is entering a new and unpredictable phase, with global consequences hanging in the balance.