What began as a routine Saturday on a quiet Ivy League campus quickly turned into a nightmare.
Police in Providence, Rhode Island, are continuing an intensive manhunt after a mass shooting erupted inside an academic building at Brown University, leaving two people dead and nine others wounded. The gunfire broke out during a final exam review session, sending students scrambling for cover as chaos unfolded inside the classroom.
Authorities say the suspect entered the building around 4:00 p.m. local time, shouted something witnesses could not clearly recall, and opened fire. Students ducked beneath desks, fled hallways, and hid in nearby buildings as campus police and emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Emergency crews flooded the campus within minutes, and Brown University immediately canceled all remaining in-person exams as investigators secured the area.
Two victims were later identified as university students, while several others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Investigators initially detained a person of interest before releasing him after determining the evidence pointed elsewhere. As of Sunday night, officials said there was no immediate threat to the campus, though the search for the suspect remains active.
One student described the moments after hearing gunshots as “pure panic,” while another said she felt emotionally numb once she realized the danger had passed. Brown University confirmed that counseling services have been made available to students, staff, and affected families.
As the national spotlight focused on the tragedy in Providence, the ripple effects quietly reached the Minnesota Vikings locker room.
Late Sunday evening, the team confirmed that one of its offensive players would be stepping away from football this week for deeply personal reasons. His younger brother, a current student at Brown University, was among those injured in the shooting and remains hospitalized.
Vikings running back Ty Chandler has been granted time away from the team and will not be available for this week’s game, choosing instead to remain with his family during what has been described as an overwhelming and emotional period.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the situation with compassion, emphasizing that football is secondary in moments like this.
“Our hearts are with Ty and his family,” O’Connell said. “When something this devastating happens, the only thing that matters is being there for your loved ones. He has our full support to take all the time he needs.”
Several teammates were visibly shaken by the news, reaching out privately to offer prayers and support. Inside the Vikings locker room, the focus briefly shifted from game preparation to perspective — a sobering reminder that the sport exists alongside real-life pain and uncertainty.
While the Vikings prepare to move forward without one of their running backs this week, the organization’s message remains clear. Coaches, players, and fans are united behind their teammate as his family navigates an unimaginable situation.
For now, wins and losses fade into the background. What matters most is healing, recovery, and standing together when it matters most.
