A shooting at an Ivy League university theatre in the United States has left two people injured, including a celebrated American playwright. The incident occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Monday evening.
Attack During Rehearsal at Campus Theatre
The Providence Police Department confirmed that the shooting took place around 6:30 PM local time on Monday, December 23, 2024. The location was the Leeds Theatre, situated within the university's Performing Arts Complex.
According to authorities, a rehearsal was in progress when an individual entered the theatre and opened fire. The two victims were struck before the assailant fled the scene on foot. A significant police response followed, with officers securing the area and launching an immediate search for the suspect.
Acclaimed playwright Sarah Ruhl, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee known for works like In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) and The Clean House, was one of the individuals wounded. The other victim is a female student at Brown University. Both were transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Their injuries are reported as non-life-threatening.
Community in Shock as Investigation Continues
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the prestigious university community and the wider city of Providence. Brown University officials issued a campus-wide alert following the incident, urging people to shelter in place while the initial manhunt was underway.
Providence Police Colonel Oscar Perez stated that the investigation is in its early stages. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and detectives are working to determine the relationship, if any, between the shooter and the victims. No arrests have been made public as of the latest reports.
"Our primary focus is on the well-being of the victims and the safety of our campus," a university spokesperson said. Counselling and support services have been made available to students and staff affected by the traumatic event.
Ongoing Questions About Campus Security
The incident has abruptly raised urgent questions about security protocols in campus arts facilities, which are typically open and accessible environments. The Leeds Theatre, where the shooting occurred, is a central hub for student and professional productions.
This event adds to a grim national conversation in the US about gun violence and public safety, even in spaces dedicated to learning and culture. The investigation by the Providence Police Department continues, with forensic teams examining the scene and detectives pursuing all leads.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on the recovery of Sarah Ruhl and the student, and on the ongoing search for answers and accountability.
