Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
PROVIDENCE, RI. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Rogers Williams Park Zoo in Providence is opening its doors for members of the Brown University community free of charge amid the tragic shooting.
Stacey Johnson, executive director of the zoo, told WBZ NewsRadio that from now until Jan. 4, Brown University students, staff and faculty plus one of their guests can receive complimentary entry to the zoo to interact and engage with the animals.
“Green space and being within nature remind us of who we are and how we should feel,” he said.
Saturday’s deadly shooting killed two Brown students and injured nine others. Police continue the search for the suspect who opened fire inside a classroom at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building.
Read more: Search Resumes For Brown University Shooter
Johnson added that Providence is such a tight-knit community that everyone knows someone who was affected by the tragedy.
“When I moved here four years ago, one of the first things I was told is there’s only two degrees of separation,” he said. “And I’m already sensing that. I am literally only two degrees separated from somebody who was injured in the attack.”
The goal of the free admission is to provide a place of refuge for the community, all you need to do is show a current Brown University ID.
“We want to make Roger Williams Park a place where people can gather and feel welcomed,” Johnson said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.
