By Emmanuel Bobby
With college students preparing to return to campuses across Rhode Island, the city of Providence has released the findings of an independent evaluation examining how municipal agencies responded to the mass shooting at Brown University on Dec. 13, 2025.
The deadly attack left two students dead and nine other people injured, sending shockwaves through the Brown University community and the surrounding Providence area. The gunman fled the scene following the shooting, triggering a widespread investigation and a search that extended beyond Rhode Island.
Authorities later linked the suspect to a separate shooting involving an MIT professor in Brookline, Massachusetts. Five days after the Brown University attack, the suspect was found dead, bringing the immediate manhunt to an end while investigators continued examining the events surrounding both shootings.
The independent review was conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum, commonly known as PERF, a national organization that specializes in examining law enforcement operations, emergency responses and police procedures following major incidents.
Review Finds Response Was Appropriate
According to the evaluation, Providence police responded appropriately to the Brown University shooting. Investigators reviewing the city’s actions also concluded that it was unlikely the attack could have been prevented based on the circumstances known at the time.
However, the review identified several areas where coordination and communication could be strengthened during future large-scale emergencies.
The evaluation included 18 recommendations designed to improve how city agencies work together during major incidents. Among the recommendations is continued collaboration between the Providence Police Department, emergency services and the city’s telecommunications department.
The goal is to ensure that critical information can be shared quickly and accurately among agencies and the public during emergencies.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Pérez said the evaluation provides important confirmation of the department’s work while also identifying opportunities to improve.
In comments about the findings, Pérez said the report positively recognized the department’s strengths and validated many of the decisions made by officers during the response.
Technology Played Key Role in Investigation
The report also details how investigators worked to identify and track the suspect after the Brown University shooting.
One technology that played a significant role was the city’s network of automated license plate readers. These systems can capture images of vehicle license plates and provide investigators with information that can help establish where a vehicle traveled.
Pérez previously discussed the technology’s role in the investigation, saying automated license plate readers helped authorities track the suspect and eventually locate him in Salem, New Hampshire.
According to the chief, the technology provided investigators with an important lead as they worked to determine the suspect’s movements after the shooting.
The use of automated license plate readers has become increasingly common among law enforcement agencies investigating serious crimes, although the technology has also generated broader discussions about privacy, surveillance and how information collected through such systems should be managed.
University Security Response Examined
The independent evaluation also examined the actions of Brown University’s security personnel during the attack.
The review concluded that the university’s security team acted appropriately in response to the shooting.
The findings come as colleges and universities across Rhode Island and the region continue reviewing emergency procedures ahead of the new academic year. Campus officials routinely assess security plans, emergency notification systems, evacuation procedures and coordination with local police and emergency responders.
Pérez emphasized that a strong response does not mean there is no room for improvement.
He said organizations that perform well during a crisis should still examine what could have been done differently and identify ways to improve future responses.
New Alert System Recommended
One of the most significant recommendations in the evaluation involves emergency communication.
The report recommends establishing a tiered alert system that would provide people with immediate instructions during the early stages of an emergency and then deliver additional information as officials learn more about the situation.
Under such a system, an initial alert could instruct people to shelter in place while authorities work to confirm what is happening. More detailed information could then be distributed as investigators and emergency officials develop a clearer understanding of the threat.
The recommendation reflects one of the challenges officials often face during rapidly developing emergencies: providing timely warnings without releasing information that has not yet been confirmed.
A system that delivers immediate safety instructions first and additional details later could help reduce confusion while allowing officials to update the public as reliable information becomes available.
Lessons for Future Emergencies
The review is particularly significant as students prepare to return to college campuses. The Brown University shooting raised questions about campus security, emergency communication and the ability of multiple agencies to coordinate during an active threat.
The Providence evaluation compared the city’s response with responses to other high-profile mass shootings across the country, including attacks in Nashville, San Bernardino and Parkland.
Overall, the report offered a relatively favorable assessment of Providence’s response while emphasizing that even successful emergency operations can be improved.
The review cost the city approximately $95,000.
City officials are expected to consider the recommendations as they work to strengthen emergency preparedness and interagency coordination. The findings could also influence how Providence and its public safety partners approach future large-scale incidents.
For students, families and residents, the review provides both reassurance and a reminder of the importance of preparedness. While the evaluation found that the response to the Brown University shooting was appropriate and that the attack likely could not have been prevented, officials acknowledge that communication and coordination can always be strengthened.
As the new academic year approaches, Providence and its emergency response agencies will have an opportunity to put those lessons into practice and ensure that police, first responders, universities and city departments are prepared to work together if another major emergency occurs.
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