Keith Hoffmann’s Statement on the Shooting at Brown University

The horrific mass shooting at Brown University is devastating for so many Rhode Islanders. My heart is with the victims, their loved ones, and the Brown University and Providence communities. I pray for the recovery of those who are hospitalized, and am grateful to law enforcement, first responders, and medical professionals for their lifesaving response. As the investigation continues, I am confident that we’ll achieve justice in any prosecution — though nothing will ever fill the immense void of the lives lost.

This tragedy felt very personal to many of us. I teach a class at Brown and live near the university; Rachel and I sheltered in place last night with our children, Elijah and Daniel, and this morning we discussed with other parents whether to tell our kindergartners about a slaughter that took place in our community. This is violence that hits painfully close to home.

The days ahead will be difficult as Rhode Islanders grieve the murdered students at Brown and those killed in a monstrous antisemitic attack in Bondi Beach, Australia. Hanukah — the Festival of Lights — will be celebrated amidst this sadness.

The scourge of mass shootings and gun violence is a stain on our communities, and we must continue working to protect our families and prevent these tragedies from ever happening again.

Hate and violence have no place anywhere, and we will never stop the fight to make our communities safer for all of us.

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