Brown University Student Recalls Tragic Shooting Incident

A senior from Brown University shared the heartbreaking news that he lost his best friend in a school shooting that claimed two lives and left nine others injured. He spent the night assisting fellow students in evacuating from the scene.

Ben Marcus recounts his experience on “Fox & Friends Weekend” stating he was at the university’s Hillel, a Jewish community center, when security arrived with an urgent alert.

“None of us were on our phones. The security personnel quickly took charge and informed us that there was a serious situation. There’s a shooter upstairs,” Marcus explained.

He described the evacuation process, which involved around 30 students, lasting nearly seven hours. Marcus commended the Hillel staff and university personnel for keeping everyone safe and providing crucial information during the chaos.

Still, students felt unsettled, grappling with the aftermath of the incident, which disrupted their final exams. “We had finals yesterday and all week; students are just, well, scared,” he said.

One of the victims, whose identity is still undisclosed, was a close friend of Marcus. “I actually lost a very good friend. I think her name hasn’t been released yet, but she was truly special… really skilled at fostering dialogue and interfaith activities. We’ll miss her a lot,” Marcus said.

He also raised concerns about campus security, noting that many buildings are accessible and not always locked during school hours, stating, “Even when buildings should be secure, especially the engineering ones, they’re often propped open.”

As for the investigation, police stated they have a person in custody linked to the shooting. This suspect was located at a hotel in Coventry, roughly 27 miles from Providence.

In a press conference, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar L. Perez Jr. refrained from commenting on whether the suspect had ties to the university, reflecting the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Former ATF Special Agent Bernard Zapor discussed the latest updates on the case during the same broadcast, emphasizing the lack of conscience behind such violent acts. “Anyone who decides to take a life, regardless of the scale, is essentially acting without morality. The expected human decency just isn’t there,” he remarked.