Patriots Issue Statement on Brown University Shooting

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — As the New England Patriots make their final preparations for a Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, they will undoubtedly take the field with a heavy heart.

Little more than 25 miles south of the site of this week’s game, unspeakable tragedy unfolded on the eve of its kickoff — as at least two people were killed and eight others were seriously hurt during a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The horrific events, which caused widespread panic throughout the historic, Ivy League campus, have become the subject of local, national and global news cycles.

Given their several ties to the Ocean State, the Patriots were quick to issue a statement to express sympathy, as well as declare their solidarity to their fellow neighbors in southern New England. The organization’s message read as follows:

The New England Patriots are heartbroken by the horrific events at Brown University.

We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected and their families, and we remain grateful to the first responders and law enforcement who acted swiftly to protect the students, faculty, staff and the community.

We stand with Brown University and our neighbors in Rhode Island during this difficult
time.

Providence Tragedy Impacts Both the Patriots and Bills

Jan 27, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots team plane arrives at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport for Super Bowl LIII. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-Imagn Images | Adam Hagy-Imagn Images

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Dec. 13, the school announced that there was "an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering." University officials told students to lock their doors, silence phones and stay stay hidden until further notice.

Despite earlier reports indicating that a suspect had been taken into custody, Providence mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that no suspect had been apprehended, as of 6:15 p.m. ET. Smiley further advised that the eight wounded victims we being treated at nearly Rhode Island Hospital, with the extent of their injuries not immediately known.

In addition to the Patriots, the tragic events also impacted the visiting Buffalo Bills — who arrived in New England via Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in the neighboring city of Warwick. Green also happens to be the hangar hub for the Patriots team plane, colloquially nicknames Air Kraft, as a nod to team owner Robert Kraft.

Most visiting teams often choose to fly into T.F. Green, as a less-hectic alternative to Boston’s Logan International Airport. Accordingly, they also seek pre-game lodging in hotels closer to Providence, than Boston. For the Bills, the day’s tragedy struck less than two miles from their accommodations for the night.

“The Buffalo Bills are staying at a downtown Providence hotel less than two miles from the active-shooter scene near Brown University,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported. “I’m told all players and staff are safe and accounted for at this time. Brown University has urged the area to shelter in place as police respond.”

The Patriots (11-2) are entering Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season with chance to bring home the AFC East division title — a feat which has eluded them since 2019.

The Pats currently hold a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills (9-4) who also enter Week 15 with a great deal on the line. The Pats divisional foes from western New York earned a Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, their ninth victory of the season. Accordingly, the stage is now set for this game with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium — with the AFC East on the line. The Pats will clinch a division title if they defeat Buffalo in what has become the team’s most important game of the season in Foxborough.

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