The mass shooting at Brown University has shoved Providence Mayor Brett Smiley into the national spotlight, causing some people, largely outside of the state to ask who he is.

In Providence, Rhode Island, two Brown University students were killed and nine others wounded in a shooting Saturday in a classroom. Authorities say a person of interest was taken into custody at a hotel about 20 miles from Providence.

The city’s preparation did not prevent the violence, and no amount of planning can blunt the horror of it. But in the chaotic hours that followed, it did matter.

Former Providence Deputy Police Chief Thomas Verdi said it was unlikely that a high-powered rifle was used, as it would have led to more casualties.

The Rhode Island Blood Center is seeking donors after a shooting at Brown University killed two students and injured nine others Saturday afternoon.

Preview the Dec 6 matchup between the Providence Friars and Rhode Island Rams with how to watch, tv channel info, predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.

It’s the 135 th matchup between the in-state rivals with Providence leading the all-time series, 77-57. Rhode Island won last year’s game, 69-63, in Kingston. Rhode Island hasn’t won in Providence since Dec. 7, 2002, when it captured a 73-71 victory. Follow along for live updates from the game!

Sign up for our Newsletters "Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come," Smiley said. In his remarks, Smiley explained the incident was initially reported to 911 at approximately 4:05 p.