The Buffalo Bills are currently sheltering in place at their team hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, just miles from a tragic and developing situation at Brown University. The team is in town ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots, with kickoff set for the afternoon in Foxborough, roughly 25 miles away.
According to reports, all Bills players and staff who traveled for the game are safe and accounted for. The team is staying put at their hotel as law enforcement continues to respond to a mass shooting that occurred on Brown’s campus earlier in the day.
The shooting took place inside the Barus and Holley engineering building, located in the eastern part of Providence near two major interstate highways. Authorities confirmed that two people were killed and at least eight others were injured.
One additional injury was later reported, bringing the total number of injured to nine. That victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries from fragments caused by gunfire.
The suspect remains at large, and police have launched a manhunt across the city. Officials described the shooter as a man in his 30s, dressed in black clothing and possibly wearing a dark camouflage mask.
Despite initial reports suggesting a suspect had been taken into custody, law enforcement later clarified that no one is currently in custody. Investigators also stated that a handgun is believed to have been used in the attack, though no weapon has been recovered yet.
The situation has understandably cast a heavy cloud over the weekend’s NFL action in the region. Both the Patriots and the Bills have been in communication since the news broke.
The Patriots released a statement expressing their sorrow over the events at Brown, saying the organization is “heartbroken by the horrific events” and extending “deepest sympathies to those affected and their families.” The team also acknowledged the swift actions of first responders and law enforcement, adding, “We stand with Brown University and our neighbors in Rhode Island during this difficult time.”
As the investigation continues, the Brown University community remains on high alert. The school issued a shelter-in-place order shortly after 4:20 p.m.
ET, with students and faculty urged to remain indoors. The timing is especially difficult, as students are currently in the middle of final exams for the fall semester.
Social media images from inside campus buildings showed students barricading doors as they waited for the all-clear.
Authorities also addressed reports of a second shooting near campus that surfaced in the chaos following the initial attack. Those reports were later deemed unfounded.
A significant law enforcement presence remains on the scene, including FBI and ATF agents. The search for the gunman is ongoing, and investigators are working to piece together the timeline and motive behind the shooting.
This is a developing situation with wide-reaching impact, not only for the local community but for everyone connected to this weekend’s NFL game. For now, the focus remains on safety, support, and solidarity with those affected by this tragedy.