Shootings at Brown University, Bondi beach claim at least 12 lives

Two separate shooting incidents in the United States and Australia have left at least 12 people dead and more than 20 injured, including two police officers, authorities said. 

The incidents occurred at Brown University in the US state of Rhode Island late Saturday night and at Bondi Beach, a popular tourist area in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday night.

In the United States, the shooting at Brown University, a private Ivy League research institution, left two people dead and nine others injured, university officials said. Brown University confirmed that all the victims were students.

Of the nine injured victims, six are in critical but stable condition, one remains in critical condition, one is reported to be stable, and another was treated and released. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the exact location on campus and the motive, have not yet been disclosed. 

Police said the suspect has not been identified and remains at large. Authorities have appealed to the public for information and urged anyone with relevant leads to contact law enforcement.

Meanwhile in Australia, a separate mass shooting in Sydney’s Bondi area claimed 10 lives, including one person believed to be one of the shooters, the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force said. Police confirmed that a second alleged shooter is in critical condition.

At least 11 people were injured in the incident, including two police officers, NSW Police said in a statement posted on social media platform X. Emergency services responded to reports of gunfire at the busy beachfront area, prompting evacuations and the establishment of multiple crime scenes.

Police said several suspicious items were found near the site and are being examined by specialist officers. Authorities added that there are no reports of further related incidents at this stage. Investigators have appealed to the public to provide any photos, videos or information that may assist the inquiry.

Although the two incidents are unrelated, they have renewed concerns over public safety in spaces traditionally considered secure, including university campuses and popular public areas.

In the United States, gun violence remains a persistent threat. As of December 13, at least 75 school shootings have been recorded in the United States so far this year, including 43 incidents on college campuses and 32 on K–12 school grounds, CNN reported based on data from the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. 

These shootings have left at least 31 people dead and more than 100 others injured. Although the figures continue to fuel debate over firearm access and the need for stronger preventive measures, the US has not been able to contain these shootings, making schools and college campuses increasingly unsafe spaces for students and staff.