A lecturer at Brown University recounted a terrifying episode when a masked gunman entered his classroom and opened fire during a final exam review. Joseph Oduro, a 21-year-old teaching assistant, mentioned that the gunman shouted “something” before starting to shoot, although he wasn’t clear on what exactly was said, according to police.
Oduro was wrapping up a session on Principles of Economics when he first heard gunfire outside the auditorium. “Suddenly, I heard gunshots and people screaming,” he recalled. Then, a man with a rifle appeared in the doorway.
Oduro noted that both he and law enforcement were trying to piece together what the shooter may have shouted during the incident. “That’s what the students and I, along with the detectives, have been trying to figure out,” he remarked.
In the midst of chaos, Oduro and around 20 students quickly sought shelter behind their desks, with one person reportedly suffering a leg injury. The layout of the auditorium made it difficult for those in the center to escape the oncoming danger.
“Students in the middle faced the most risk,” he stated. “Many were just lying there, motionless. We have no idea how many were hurt.”
Authorities later indicated they had arrested a person of interest in connection to the shooting. Meanwhile, Oduro, a senior at Brown studying applied mathematics, economics, and computer science, described the review session as crucial, especially since economics is a requirement for many advanced courses at the university. He mentioned that about 80 percent of the students who attended were freshmen.
He recalled expressing gratitude to his students just before the terrifying events unfolded. “I was just telling them how much I appreciate them,” he reflected.
