In closing remarks, Dr. Mukesh K. Jain — Brown’s senior vice president for health affairs, senior associate provost for life sciences and dean of medicine and biological sciences — thanked the hundreds of people “in badges, uniforms, white coats and scrubs” who answered tragedy with compassion.

At the podium, he recognized the swift and skilled response of some 200 medical professionals across Rhode Island Hospital, Care New England and the Brown University Health system who treated Brown students that night or took in other patients so their colleagues could focus on the emergency. 

“This is what community looks like: No one person carries a community through tragedy; communities unite to carry one another,” Jain said. “Tonight’s WaterFire is an opportunity to remember those lost, those injured, and to recognize and celebrate all of you in our medical community and the broader Providence and Rhode Island community who have helped carry all of us at Brown. We are so very deeply grateful to all of you and we are privileged to stand alongside all of you.”

A group of first responders and community partners were invited to serve as WaterFire torchbearers, gathering at the Providence River Basin to ignite the fires that give the event its name. Among them was Jamie Lynch, community disaster program manager for the Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross, who led roughly 30 volunteers supporting the response to the shooting. 

“What makes tonight meaningful is seeing the community come together to recognize not only the people who responded, but also everyone who was impacted,” Lynch said. “Recovery is never the work of one person or one organization: It happens through partnerships and people coming together to support one another. Events like WaterFire give people an opportunity to reflect, support one another and recognize the partnerships that help communities heal. It is a reminder that none of us does this work alone.”

An evening of music, remembrance and connection

Blazing fires appeared to float on Providence’s rivers as gondolas and kayaks glided through light and shadow. Firelight flickered against the city’s arched bridges, world music resonated through the air, and visitors gathered along the riverbanks. Created by Brown Class of 1975 graduate Barnaby Evans, WaterFire Providence has helped transform the city culturally and economically for more than three decades.

Brown’s sponsorship of the full lighting came as part of Brown Loves Providence, a campus-wide initiative to reciprocate the care and compassion that local residents, businesses, leaders and others showed the University during a time of grief and uncertainty.

Throughout the winter and spring, thousands of Brown students, faculty and staff supported neighborhood retailers and restaurants by shopping and dining locally, donated to nonprofits serving Providence residents, volunteered with community organizations, and delivered gifts and cards of appreciation to first responders, small-business owners and residents.

Saturday’s WaterFire extended that spirit of gratitude through live music, public art, family activities, street performances, local vendors and food and beverage trucks, serving everything from craft beer to kettle corn and pizza.

In the Brown hospitality tent, kids and families took photos with Bruno, Brown’s bear mascot, sat for caricature portraits and enjoyed coloring books and crafts. At the face painting station, butterflies, rainbows and unicorns were popular requests, but in keeping with the evening’s theme, kids also asked for water and fire designs and Brown’s “B” emblem. 

Nearby, the Providence Fire Department hosted a touch-a-truck display, giving children an up-close look at emergency vehicles and equipment. Kids lined up to crawl inside the truck, pretending to drive while asking firefighters about the siren, walkie-talkies and other equipment. 

Lincoln, Rhode Island, residents Michael and Tea Lopez brought their 2-year-old son and newborn daughter to enjoy the festivities.

“I’ve been coming to WaterFire since I was a kid, and it’s something that feels uniquely Rhode Island,” Michael Lopez said. “Keeping that tradition alive is fun, and starting a new tradition with our kids is even more special.”

Brown engineering faculty and students led robotics demonstrations featuring Boston Dynamics’ Spot, a dog-like robot that danced to music and retrieved plush toys. Meanwhile, Brown medical students hosted a Teddy Bear Clinic, performing routine checkups on stuffed animals to teach children exercise, nutrition, bandage placement, handwashing and wellness.

“It’s a lot of fun to see the kids taking care of the bears,” said Della Tsivor, a second-year medical student interested in pediatrics. “Their playfulness and creativity are things we can sometimes lose sight of as medical students. Being in that setting and being reminded of them is a great opportunity for us, too.”

Along the river, Cirque de Light performers spun flames, dancers took the stage in Memorial Park, an origami artist folded intricate creations, and living statues posed for photos with families and other visitors.

Among the attendees was social worker Rachel Caruso, executive director of the Ever Hope Center, a new resiliency center established to support people affected by the shootings at Brown University and the Dennis Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Feb. 16, 2026. Caruso also served as a torchbearer.

After months of responding to crisis, she said, the opportunity to gather with first responders, community partners and colleagues in a spirit of gratitude, remembrance and hope was especially meaningful.

“Whether it’s victim service providers, police departments or EMTs, a lot of us come together frequently — and usually it’s because something bad has happened,” Caruso said. “I always think it’s a wonderful thing when we can come together when the sirens aren’t going. To have this opportunity to gather as a community, as colleagues and as friends…is incredibly important for healing and for strengthening our partnerships with one another.”