Brown University student recounts shooting

When you heard the mayor refer to more visible police presence, hoping that would reassure those who work in shops in the business district of Providence or the public at large, those dropping off their children, picking their children up, were you in any way reassured by that? Yeah. I mean, I think the police response has been obvious, and incredibly, it was efficient. We were cleared by a SWAT team within two hours in the library I was in, and the presence was-- we could see the many, many, many cruisers and trucks and everything outside the window as soon as the incident occurred. That being said, we lived in-- or we were in a state where Brown felt incredibly safe, and that bubble of safeness was completely popped when we were violated by a shooter entering our campus. And I think it will take time and effort to be able to rebuild any sense of normalcy among students. As people were saying earlier, the majority of students have left campus days, or even weeks ahead of when they were planning to because they just do not feel safe here right now.

And clearly, there is not a suspect in custody. They were not able to say, the chief, Oscar Perez Jr, whether they know not only whereabouts, but whether or not the suspect is even in the Providence area. But they keep saying, and tried to say over and over, that the public should not be afraid of any ongoing threat. Is that how you feel? I mean, I believe the police and associated agencies seem to be doing their best with this investigation, and I can only hope that it will lead to something fruitful. Obviously, the process of justice is one that takes time. And I hope for the sake of the victims and everyone that has been affected by this that they can have the reassurance and the closure that they need once they find out who did this horrific act.

Talia, did you know anyone who was wounded or killed? Do any of your friends know the victims? I don't know anyone personally, but as was said by someone in the press conference, we're all two degrees of separation here. I know of multiple victims, and it is so deeply saddening to see my small community so, so shaken by the loss of two amazing students.

Talia Levine, thank you very much. And that two degrees of separation observation made by Mayor Brett Smiley. Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it. Be safe, be well, and enjoy the holidays as best as possible. Thank you so much. Thank you so much.