Trump Posts Incorrect Details During Brown University Active Shooter Emergency
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — An active shooter incident near the campus of Brown University on Saturday afternoon led to multiple injuries, a campus-wide lockdown, and confusion fueled by rapidly changing early reports — including inaccurate information shared publicly by President Donald Trump.
The incident unfolded around 4:20 p.m. ET near Brown’s Barus & Holley engineering complex during final exam week. The university issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter and instructed students and staff to shelter in place, lock doors, silence phones, and remain hidden.
Law enforcement agencies including Brown University Police, Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, and federal authorities responded to the scene. Officials confirmed that multiple people were shot, though authorities had not released an official count or conditions of the victims by late afternoon.
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Shortly after the first alert, Brown University issued a follow-up message stating that a suspect was in custody. That information was later reversed, with the university clarifying that no suspect was in custody and that police were actively searching for the shooter or shooters. The campus remained under lockdown as the situation continued to evolve.
During the period of uncertainty, President Donald Trump posted on social media that he had been briefed on the shooting, that the FBI was on the scene, and that the suspect was in custody. Minutes later, Trump issued a follow-up post acknowledging that Brown University Police had reversed their earlier statement and that the suspect was not in custody.
The conflicting posts mirrored the confusion surrounding the early emergency alerts, highlighting the risks of sharing unverified information during unfolding crises. Law enforcement officials emphasized that details during active shooter investigations can change rapidly and urged the public to rely on official emergency updates.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said he was monitoring the situation and offered prayers for the Brown community. Authorities said further updates would be provided once the scene was secured and accurate information confirmed.
This remains a developing story, with officials continuing to investigate and urging the public to avoid the area.
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