PTC News Desk: At least two people were killed and several injured in a shooting at Brown University’s engineering building on Saturday, Providence's mayor said, as police continued searching for a suspect on the Ivy League campus during final exams.

The shooting occurred on the second day of examinations, triggering a major police operation as officers searched campus buildings for more than two hours after the incident. A shelter-in-place order was imposed in the surrounding area. Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara said the suspect was a man wearing black who was last seen leaving the building. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley urged nearby residents to remain indoors and not return home until officials declared the area secure.

Brown University initially informed students and staff that a suspect had been taken into custody, but later clarified through its emergency alert system that police were still searching for one or more suspects. Smiley later confirmed that a person who had been briefly detained was found to have no connection to the shooting.

Providence City Council member John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus, told the Associated Press that authorities were still gathering details and had advised people to lock their doors and remain alert. The shooting took place near the Barus and Holley building, a seven-storey facility housing the university’s School of Engineering and physics department. The building contains more than 100 laboratories, classrooms, and offices, and engineering design exams were underway at the time.

Chiangheng Chien, an engineering doctoral student who was about a block away, said students in a nearby lab took cover under desks and switched off the lights after receiving emergency alerts.

Former US President Donald Trump said late Saturday that he had been briefed on the incident, offering prayers for the victims and their families. In a separate post, he noted that Brown University police had corrected their earlier statement and that the suspect was not in custody.

US Vice President JD Vance said authorities were closely monitoring the situation in Rhode Island and that the FBI was ready to assist if needed, adding that his thoughts and prayers were with the victims.