Brown University student says resources are crucial in the months ahead
Brown University student Ref Barin was inside the physics and engineering building last weekend when a gunman opened fire on campus.
“He was in my major, physics, and even worse, he was a graduate student in physics,” Barin told Boston 25 News of the shooter, now identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente. Valente is also a former Brown graduate student.
“January 21 is the first day of the spring semester, so Brown has about a month to secure the campus and make sure everyone feels safe enough to come back,” Barin said.
Barin says keeping mental health resources at the forefront and adding safety protocol to the Barus and Holley building should be the university’s priority.
Although he says he can’t wait to return to campus, he says a long road to recovery lies ahead.
“There are going to be a lot of difficult conversations, there are going to be a lot of difficult things, emotionally and psychologically, that everyone is going to have to deal with,” Barin said. “Would I wish that he could rot in a prison cell or receive the worst punishment the law could offer right now, of course I wish that, but the reality is, I suppose, much more complicated and we’re all just happy that it has come to an end.”
The Office for Victims of Crime website provides a list of resources available to the community, including mental health, wellness, and immediate and spiritual support services.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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