A quiet Saturday afternoon at the prestigious Brown University shattered into chaos as gunfire erupted in an engineering classroom, leaving two students dead and a campus in lockdown.

The tragedy at the Ivy League institution in Rhode Island has once again highlighted the volatile reality of American campus safety—a concern that resonates deeply with the thousands of Kenyan families sending children abroad for higher education.

The Suspect and the Scene

Law enforcement officials moved quickly following the incident, detaining a "person of interest" described as a man in his 20s. While police have not officially released his name, major US media outlets have identified the detained individual as Benjamin Erickson.

The violence unfolded at approximately 16:00 local time (midnight EAT) on Saturday within the Holley engineering building, located at the eastern edge of the university's Providence campus. Authorities confirmed the gunman targeted a specific classroom, though the motive remains under investigation.

Casualties and Condition

The toll of the attack is heavy, with university officials confirming that the violence was directed entirely at the student body.

• Fatalities: Two students were killed at the scene.
• Injuries: Nine others sustained gunshot wounds.
• Current Status: According to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, seven victims are in stable condition, one remains critical, and one has been discharged.

Brown University President Christina Paxson, addressing a shaken community, confirmed that all victims—both the deceased and the wounded—were students. While a full list of names has not been released, the head of Durham Academy in North Carolina confirmed that one of their alumni, Kendall Turner, was among the injured.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family, and all members of the Brown University community during this incredibly difficult time," said Michael Ulku-Steiner, head of Durham Academy, capturing the shock felt across the academic world.