What should have been a typical stretch of classes and exam prep has turned into a moment of deep fear for Brown University students.
In the days following a deadly shooting on campus, many students say they no longer feel protected — and some have packed up and left Rhode Island altogether, choosing distance over danger.
Students Say Trust in Law Enforcement Is Crumbling
Several students told the Daily Mail they’ve lost confidence in authorities’ ability to keep them safe, especially with the suspect still at large.
Some were too frightened to be named publicly, worried that speaking out could put them at further risk.
One student, who left the state early Monday, described the situation as terrifying.
They said it was shocking that investigators appeared to have so little information days after the attack.
According to them, the only public lead was a blurry image released by the FBI — a shadowy figure near campus that many believe is far too unclear to help identify anyone.
Blurry Images and Growing Frustration
The grainy photos released Monday afternoon quickly sparked anger among students.
Many questioned how such vague images could possibly help bring justice or restore a sense of safety.
For students already shaken by the violence, the lack of visible progress has only deepened anxiety.
The shooter, who killed two people and injured nine others, is still considered “armed and dangerous.”
Leaving Campus Felt Like the Only Option
Karsen Chimineli, a 20-year-old junior, said she barricaded herself inside her dorm room for hours before deciding she couldn’t stay any longer.
She eventually returned home to New York, relieved she made the decision when she did.
Chimineli explained that she wanted to leave as fast as possible, especially after learning that Benjamin Erickson — a man taken into custody at a local hotel early Sunday — had been released.
With the suspect still free, she said staying on campus felt unbearable.
The FBI has since announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the shooter’s arrest.
“It Feels Like a Horror Movie”
Another junior, Roman Novy-Marx, echoed the same sense of hopelessness.
He said the lack of clarity from authorities has completely eroded trust in law enforcement.
According to him, campus no longer feels like a place of learning but something closer to a nightmare.
He admitted he was grateful to finally be leaving, adding that he doesn’t believe anyone truly feels safe there right now.
A Friend’s Bravery Under Fire
Novy-Marx also shared a harrowing story about a close friend who was wounded while trying to help others escape.
His friend was shot while assisting injured people, dragging them outside so they could receive medical care.
That friend was hit while fleeing but survived. Novy-Marx believes his life was spared because someone in front of him absorbed most of the gunfire.
He suspects that person may have been 18-year-old Mukhammad Aziz, one of the two students who lost their lives.
The other victim has been identified as 19-year-old Ella Cook.
The Moment Panic Took Over
Novy-Marx recalled the exact time chaos erupted — 4:22 p.m.
He had been planning a relaxed evening with friends, complete with a campfire and guitar, when an alert warned of an active shooter and instructed students to run, hide, or fight if necessary.
Moments later, his boss texted him with a blunt warning to get out immediately.
He jumped into his car and drove toward nearby woods, hoping it would give him time and distance from danger.
When law enforcement eventually arrived, the campus was sealed off, leaving him unable to return.
A Flood of Messages and Lingering Fear
As events unfolded, Novy-Marx said his phone was flooded with messages from friends and loved ones, all checking to see if he was alive.
The constant back-and-forth only added to the emotional weight of the situation.
His wounded friend is now recovering in hospital and is expected to survive — a small relief in an otherwise devastating series of events.
Inside the Lecture Hall
The only firsthand account Novy-Marx said he heard directly came from Joseph Oduro, a teaching assistant who was inside the lecture hall when the shooting began.
Oduro reportedly stood at the front of the room when the gunman entered from behind and locked eyes with him.
He later told students the weapon was so large that he genuinely believed he wouldn’t survive the encounter.
Locked Down and Left in the Dark
While the chaos unfolded, Chimineli was locked inside her dorm room.
After the first alert, a second message at 4:51 p.m. claimed someone was in custody.
Just 20 minutes later, authorities walked that back, saying no suspect had been detained.
Terrified and unsure what to believe, Chimineli turned off her lights, shut her blinds, and stayed silent from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
She was also frantic about a friend she knew was studying in the building where the shooting occurred.
Thankfully, she later learned her friend was safe.
Professors Step In Where Systems Fell Short
Both Chimineli and Novy-Marx said faculty members reached out in meaningful ways.
Some professors offered rides to the airport, meals, emotional support, or even a place to stay for students who didn’t feel safe being alone.
Chimineli summed up the collective frustration simply: students should be worrying about exams — not whether they’ll survive the school day.
What Comes Next?
With the suspect still at large and fear driving students away, questions now loom over Brown University and law enforcement alike.
For many students, returning to campus won’t just require answers — it will require trust, reassurance, and a sense that safety has truly been restored.
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