As Brown University reeled from a deadly campus shooting, senior Ben Marcus spent the night helping fellow students reach safety, shuttling them back and forth to dormitories as lockdowns lifted in stages.

Marcus, a Jewish student, was observing Shabbat at Brown’s Hillel center when the emergency began. He said the atmosphere shifted suddenly as security alerts interrupted the gathering.

“I was celebrating Shabbat,” Marcus recalled. “All of a sudden, it wasn’t over yet. The security guard leaped into action. He said, ‘Everyone, upstairs.’”

More than 30 students sheltered inside Hillel for hours as police searched for the suspect. Marcus said the group remained in lockdown for approximately seven hours, initially without access to their phones, relying on campus security updates and staff guidance.

Once portions of the campus were cleared, Marcus began helping transport evacuated students to their dormitories, staying awake throughout the night to ensure classmates were not left stranded or alone. He credited university security and emergency protocols with preventing further harm during a chaotic and frightening situation.

The December 13 shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine others injured. Authorities continue to investigate the attack, which occurred during finals week and prompted a massive law enforcement response.

Marcus said the experience underscored the importance of community in moments of crisis, as students, staff, and security worked together to protect one another amid uncertainty and fear.