Rhode Island authorities are responding after Brown University reported an active shooter on campus Saturday afternoon.

In a voicemail to students, school officials said there was an active shooter near the Barus and Holley engineering building.

An alert text message sent to students said to “lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice.”

“Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself,” school officials wrote in the alert. “Stay tuned for further safety information.”

The Providence Police Department posted on X noting there was a “heavy” police and fire department presence on Hope Street near the university. 

“Please exercise caution and avoid this area until further notice,” police wrote in the post.

Brown University, the Providence Police Department and Rhode Island State Police did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

Brown University kicked off final exams Thursday.

It is unclear how many students and faculty were in the affected buildings when the shooting occurred. 

Several buildings were placed on lockdown, according to the school newspaper.

The private, Ivy League institution is located in Providence, Rhode Island, a coastal city about 50 miles south of Boston.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.