There is an alarm in Providence, Rhode Island, in the USA, after an armed attack at Brown University.

Two people have died and eight are in critical condition, according to the latest update. Authorities are continuing to search for the perpetrator, who according to initial information is a man dressed in black.

Students were sent a gunman alert and were asked to remain hidden until further notice, lock the doors to any room they were in, and put their cell phones on silent mode. Given the situation, authorities also asked residents of the surrounding area to remain indoors.

Donald Trump said he had been informed of the incident. Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, announced that they were assisting local authorities.

Brown is a private Ivy League research university and one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The institution has an enrollment of 11,005 students, of whom 7,272 are undergraduates. 

Where the attack occurred

The attack took place at Brown University's Barus and Holley Building, according to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. The building houses classrooms and lab space for the engineering and physics departments.

University authorities are trying to determine who was in the building at the time of the incident, as multiple exams were scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (local time).

Brown University President Francis Doyle called on members of the university community in the wider campus area to continue to remain on high alert.

he added.