Brown University Places Police Chief on Leave Amid Fallout from Deadly Campus Shooting
Providence, RI – Brown University has placed its police chief on administrative leave following a mass shooting on campus that claimed two student lives and injured nine others, as announced by President Christina Paxson in a community-wide email on Monday.[1]
The decision comes in the wake of the December 13 incident at the Berries and Holly Building, where a gunman opened fire, prompting intense scrutiny of the university’s security protocols. Police Chief Rodney Chatman was removed from duty effective immediately, amid prior criticisms of his leadership from campus unions.[1]
Background of the Shooting
The tragedy unfolded on December 13, 2025, when a shooter killed two Brown University students and wounded nine others in a targeted attack on campus. Details of the suspect remain under investigation by Providence Police, who released photos of a person of interest.[2]
Adding to the controversy, a Brown University custodian revealed he reported a suspicious man – later identified as matching the person of interest – multiple times in the days leading up to the shooting. The custodian, speaking to WPRI-TV, said he alerted a third-party security company contracted by the university on December 1 and on at least two other occasions, describing the man as canvassing the Berries and Holly Building and surrounding areas.[2]
“He was walking around like he was casing the joint,” the custodian told reporters, noting he spotted the individual more than a dozen times prior to the attack. However, the security company reportedly dismissed his concerns, stating it was not their role to handle such reports.[2]
University Response and Leadership Shakeup
President Paxson’s email outlined three immediate actions to bolster campus safety: continuing rapid response security measures, commissioning an after-action review of the shooting response, and initiating a comprehensive campus safety assessment. Both reviews will be conducted by external organizations and overseen by a committee of the Brown Corporation, the university’s governing body.[1]
Physical upgrades include installing additional security cameras, new blue light emergency phones with integrated cameras, more panic alarms and duress systems – particularly in front-facing service areas and late-night operations – and expediting the shift from key-based to card-based building access.[1]
Chatman’s placement on leave follows a pattern of internal dissent. In August, the Brown Police Sergeants Union issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in his leadership. The Brown University Security Patrolperson’s Association echoed this in October.[1]
Federal Investigation Looms
Compounding the university’s challenges, the U.S. Department of Education announced that its Office of Federal Student Aid is launching an investigation into Brown’s security practices. University spokesperson Brian Clark clarified that Paxson’s announced initiatives are separate from this federal probe.[1]
The after-action review will examine the university’s response to the shooting, including events before and after December 13. The broader campus safety assessment will evaluate existing systems and approaches to on-campus security.[1]
Community and Expert Reactions
The shooting has sparked outrage among students, faculty, and Providence residents, with calls for accountability growing louder. “This was preventable,” the custodian emphasized, highlighting what he described as ignored warnings.[2]
Brown’s administration has emphasized a commitment to transparency and rapid improvement. Paxson’s measures aim to restore confidence, but the ongoing federal investigation and chief’s leave signal deeper systemic issues.
As the investigation continues, questions persist about how the suspicious individual evaded detection despite multiple reports. Providence Police have not yet named a suspect, but the custodian’s recognition of the person of interest from police photos underscores potential lapses in communication between campus staff, security, and law enforcement.[2]
Broader Implications for Campus Safety
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising concerns over campus violence at U.S. universities. Brown’s proactive steps – from technological upgrades to independent reviews – could set a precedent, but their effectiveness will depend on implementation and addressing union concerns about leadership.
University officials have not provided a timeline for Chatman’s leave or the completion of reviews. The community awaits further details as Brown navigates this crisis.
Brown Daily Herald and WCVB contributed to this report.