India, Dec. 14 -- An active shooter response was underway Saturday at Brown University in Providence, prompting an emergency alert from the school as police moved to secure the campus. Authorities said officers were searching for a suspect or suspects, after earlier reports incorrectly indicated that someone had been taken into custody.

The reported incident occurred near the Barus & Holley building, which houses Brown's School of Engineering and Physics Department. The seven-story facility contains dozens of laboratories, classrooms and offices and is a central academic hub on campus.

City officials said the situation remained fluid as law enforcement continued to gather details from the scene. Kristy DosReis, Providence's chief public...