For the Buffalo Bills, the hours leading up to their Week 15 showdown against the Patriots turned from routine travel into a security lockdown. As per sources, a gunman dressed in black shot as many as ten people, killing two of them at Brown University, which is less than two miles away from where the team was staying on Saturday night.

According to reporter Diana Russini, Josh Allen and Co. were staying at a downtown Providence hotel. “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,” Russini mentioned in her update.

Further explaining why the team was in Providence, Russini wrote: “Teams playing the Patriots often stay in Providence, Rhode Island because they use that airport. Logistically, it’s just easier to get to Gillette.”

The incident took place just hours after the Buffalo Bills’ official Instagram account posted its players, including quarterback Josh Allen, his backup Mitchell Trubisky, arriving in Providence.

Here is what took place: The university sent out an alert at 4:22 p.m. telling the students to seek shelter after an active shooter was spotted at the Barus and Holley engineering building. Authorities later also stated that the shooter remained at large for hours after the incident.

The university officials initially informed students that a suspect had been taken into custody, but later said that was not the case and that the cops were still searching for a suspect.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley was heartbroken after hearing about the incident.

“Today is a day the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come,” he said in a statement. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”

As per The Providence Journal, more than 400 officers are in Providence to help with the investigation.

The New England Patriots issued a statement regarding the incident

Given the team’s ties to the Ocean State, the team was quick to share its sympathy and condolences.

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

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“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.”

Further, President Donald Trump spoke to reporters while leaving the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore. “What a terrible thing it is,” he stated. “And all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt.”

Later on, he took to Truth Social and updated his followers that he had been briefed about the incident and that the FBI would also be involved.

Brown University is a private institution with approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students. The incident unfolded on Saturday, the second day of final exams for the fall semester.