Brown University Shooting: Dispatchers Report Potentially 20 Victims in Harrowing Audio
Published on December 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM PST
Providence, Rhode Island officials were faced with a harrowing situation when they received reports of a shooting at Brown University. According to dispatch audio, there were fears that there could be as many as 20 victims in the tragic incident.
First responders rushed to the campus upon receiving the initial call about the shooting. As they arrived, the situation seemed to escalate, with dispatchers providing increasingly alarming estimates of the number of potential victims.
In the audio recording, one dispatcher initially mentioned that they believed there were six victims in the shooting. However, another voice soon revised this number, indicating that there could be up to 20 victims.
The gravity of the situation became apparent when one person on the line stated, “It’s officially going to be a mass casualty event. If there’s possibly 20 victims, we’re going to need as much mutual aid as you can get.”
Individual victims were described in the audio, with reports of one person being shot in the back and another found injured in a stairwell. The chaotic scene painted a grim picture of the aftermath of the shooting.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley later confirmed that two people had tragically lost their lives, while eight others were in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. The mayor emphasized that the death toll could potentially rise as more information became available.
Brown University was placed on lockdown following the shooting, with students instructed to shelter in place. The Barus & Holley building on the eastern side of the campus was the epicenter of the incident, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and emergency services.
Although a suspect was initially reported to be in custody, it was later revealed that the alleged shooter was still at large. Confusion arose when police engaged with an individual who was not connected to the shooting, leading to misinformation about the suspect’s apprehension.
As the investigation continued, officers were still searching for the firearm used in the shooting. The only description available of the shooter was that of a male dressed in all black, adding to the challenges of identifying the perpetrator.
The timing of the shooting during finals week added to the distress for students on campus. One student recounted to CNN that the area where the incident occurred was typically bustling with students either taking or preparing for exams, making the tragedy even more unsettling.
The community at Brown University and the city of Providence were left reeling from the senseless violence that unfolded on campus. As authorities worked to piece together the events of the shooting, the focus remained on providing support to the victims and their families in the wake of this devastating incident.
