The recent shooting at Brown University has left students, families, and friends struggling to make sense of something that feels impossible to understand. Many in the community are following the criminal investigation and the University’s promised safety review while still trying to attend classes, go to work, and care for loved ones in the midst of shock and grief.
In the aftermath of violence on a campus meant to be a place of learning and safety, survivors and families often find themselves grappling not only with trauma and loss, but also with unanswered questions. As time passes, some begin to ask whether anything might have prevented this tragedy, what the university knew, and whether campus safety measures were adequate. Speaking with a Providence personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. can help families understand the civil justice options that may be available, including serious injury and wrongful death claims.
The Brown University Shooting and Ongoing Reviews
On December 13, 2025, a shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley engineering building at Brown University, resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries to others. Law enforcement authorities identified the individual responsible, who is now reported to be deceased. Law enforcement continues to investigate how the events unfolded and what led up to them as well as motive.
Following the incident, Brown University’s president announced an independent review of campus safety and the university’s response before, during, and after the shooting. The university’s police chief was placed on leave, and an interim chief was appointed to oversee public safety operations. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education initiated a program review to assess whether Brown complied with federal campus safety requirements, including crime reporting and emergency notification obligations under the Clery Act.
Taken together, these developments underscore that serious questions remain regarding campus security, communication, prior reporting of this suspicious activity and the systems in place to properly protect students and staff in this current day and age.
Could Negligent Security Be an Issue?
When acts of violence occur on school property, families are often left wondering whether the harm was unavoidable or whether reasonable safety measures fell short. Negligent security is a form of premises liability that focuses on whether a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect people from foreseeable criminal acts. Unfortunately, shootings at schools and universities across the country have become far too common, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and sustained attention to campus security and student safety.
For colleges and universities, this duty can extend to residence halls, academic buildings, parking areas, and common spaces where students, faculty, and staff live, study, and gather. On a campus like Brown, negligent security concerns may involve issues such as:
- Whether security cameras covered entrances, hallways, and key gathering spaces, and whether those systems were properly functioning
- How access to buildings was controlled, including locks, ID card systems, and visitor procedures
- Lighting and visibility in and around buildings and walkways, particularly during evening hours
- How prior threats, reports of concerning behavior, or other warning signs were documented and addressed
- The training, staffing, and supervision of campus police and security personnel
An attorney reviewing a potential civil case will examine these and other factors to assess whether the university’s actions were consistent with what a reasonably careful institution would have done under similar circumstances.
Possible Civil Claims After the Shooting
No lawsuit can undo the harm or fully repair the loss of a loved one, nor can it erase the trauma experienced by survivors. However, some families find that exploring civil justice options helps provide answers, accountability, and financial resources needed for long-term care and recovery.
Depending on the facts, potential civil claims may include:
- Wrongful death claims, brought by families of students who were killed, seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance
- Serious personal injury claims, for survivors facing surgeries, rehabilitation, permanent impairments, chronic pain, or psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Negligent security or premises liability claims, if evidence shows that safety measures, policies, or responses were unreasonable in light of known risks
- Claims involving hiring, training, or supervision, where deficiencies in safety leadership or staffing contributed to the harm
Every family’s situation is unique. Some may decide that pursuing a civil claim feels appropriate, while others may choose different paths toward healing. A conversation with an attorney at Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. is simply a way to gather information before deciding what is right for you.
Why Families Choose the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. for Wrongful Death and Serious Injury Matters
Families affected by tragedies like the Brown University shooting often ask not only what their legal options are, but who they can trust to help them understand those options with care and respect.
When families come to us, we begin by listening. Our approach is focused on answering questions, explaining how the civil justice system works, and helping families understand how accountability and compensation may fit into their broader healing process.
At the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd., families value:
- Decades of focused personal injury practice: Our founding attorney, Ronald J. Resmini, has practiced law in Rhode Island since 1969 and has devoted more than fifty years to tort and personal injury litigation.
- Partners Adam, Jason, and Andrew Resmini have earned repeated peer-review honors over many years, including inclusion on Super Lawyers® Rising Stars lists and other top attorney recognitions, underscoring their professional standing in personal injury and civil litigation
- Deep Rhode Island legal knowledge: Ronald J. Resmini has authored multi-volume Rhode Island practice books on tort law, remedies, and civil procedure, as well as bar journal and law review articles relied upon by attorneys and judges throughout the state. Partners Adam, Andrew and Jason provide updates to these law books annually.
- Professional recognition: Ronald Resmini’s work has been recognized through numerous professional honors, including an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and recognition by Rhode Island legal publications for civil litigation excellence.
- Experience handling wrongful death cases: Our firm has represented families in complex wrongful death matters, achieving substantial recoveries that helped secure long-term financial stability while pursuing accountability with an intent to effectuate change for the greater good.
These experiences have shaped our understanding of how grief, financial strain, and unanswered questions often overlap in serious injury and wrongful death cases. For families affected by the Brown University shooting, we strive to combine legal knowledge with patience and compassion, moving at a pace that feels right for each individual.
Contact a Brown University Shooting Lawyer at the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.
If you or someone you care about was injured or killed in the Brown University shooting, reaching out for legal information may feel overwhelming. A Brown University shooting lawyer at Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. offers free, confidential consultations to listen to your story, answer questions, and explain potential options under Rhode Island law.
Reaching out does not obligate you to pursue a claim. It is simply a way to obtain clear, accurate information during an uncertain and difficult time.
You may contact the firm by calling 401.444.4444 or by completing our online contact form. The firm handles personal injury matters on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney’s fees are owed only if there is a financial recovery.
Common Questions After the Brown University Shooting
Do I need to live in Rhode Island to speak with your firm?
No. Although the incident occurred in Rhode Island and any legal claims would likely be governed by Rhode Island law, survivors and family members may live in other states. We routinely work with out-of-state clients and can explain how representation and remote communication typically work.
How soon do I need to decide whether to bring a civil claim?
Rhode Island law imposes deadlines, known as statutes of limitation, for personal injury and wrongful death claims. While you do not need to decide immediately, speaking with an attorney early can help identify applicable deadlines and preserve important evidence, such as security footage, campus communications, and witness information.
Will a civil case interfere with the criminal investigation?
Civil and criminal cases are separate processes. In many situations, a civil case can proceed without interfering with the criminal investigation or prosecution. Information from the criminal case may later help clarify what occurred and who may be responsible in a civil context.
What should I bring to an initial consultation?
You do not need to have everything organized. If available, medical or counseling records, communications from the university, photographs, or notes about how your life has changed since the incident can be helpful. If you do not yet have documents, an attorney can assist in identifying what records may be important and how to obtain them.
You can trust that our family-oriented approach is designed to help your family navigate this unimaginable time with care, clarity, and compassion.
