BREAKING: A gunman opened fire inside an academic building at Brown University in Providence, R.I., on December 13, 2023, during finals week, sending students into a frenzy. Within minutes, students turned to Sidechat, an anonymous, campus-specific messaging platform, to share urgent updates and seek safety as chaos unfolded.
In a shocking turn of events, students began documenting the panic just 15 minutes before the university’s first official alert about an active shooter. An analysis of nearly 8,000 posts from the following 36 hours reveals how social media has become crucial for navigating emergencies on campus.
As shots rang out, students shared frantic messages while sheltering in place. Some were even posting from hospital beds, like one student who shared a selfie with the caption: #finalsweek. Others were desperate for information, asking, “Is there a lockdown?” and “Where is the shooter?”
The shooter was later identified as a suspect linked to a homicide at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Authorities confirmed the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New Hampshire days later.
Around 4:06 p.m., the first signs of danger appeared on Sidechat. “Why are people running away from B&H?” one user asked, followed by urgent warnings to “TAKE COVER.” By 4:21 p.m., Brown’s official alert reached approximately 20,000 people, but the shooter had already left the campus, unbeknownst to university officials.
As night fell, students remained locked in darkened dorms, barricading doors with furniture. “I’ve balanced a metal pipe on the handle so if anyone tries the handle from the outside, it’ll make a loud noise,” one student posted. The atmosphere was tense, with every sound triggering fear and anxiety. Some reported being unable to leave their rooms for basic needs, resorting to using trash cans.
In the hours that followed, students shared their emotional turmoil. “I just want a hug from my mom,” one international student expressed, while others reflected on past shootings, feeling an overwhelming sense of heartbreak. The lockdown extended into the early morning, with students posting messages of fear and desperation, unsure of what the next hour would bring.
As the situation evolved, students turned to one another for reliable information, often challenging each other to verify posts. A shared Google Doc quickly accumulated 28 pages of verified updates. Despite the chaos, acts of kindness emerged, with students delivering food to those in need.
When students awoke the following day, they were met with the first snowfall of the season—a stark contrast to the violence they had experienced. Many took to Sidechat to express their sorrow, mourning not only the two student victims but also the loss of innocence that now marked their campus. “Snow will always be bloody for me,” one student poignantly remarked.
As the lockdown lifted, students grappled with uncertainty. Reports flooded in of donations to blood centers and memorials forming at campus gates. “What do I do right now?” one student asked, encapsulating the confusion that lingered in the air.
The impact of this shooting is profound, reshaping the Brown University community as students process their trauma and seek support. As investigations continue, the role of social media in emergency communications has been underscored, highlighting both its strengths and limitations in times of crisis.
Students are left to navigate a changed campus landscape, haunted by the events of December 13. As they begin to rebuild their sense of safety, the reflections and shared experiences documented online will serve as a haunting reminder of that tragic day.
