What the Bills said about ‘scary situation’ staying in Providence during Brown University shooting

“Some guys were eating dinner blocks away from where it was going on,” quarterback Josh Allen said.

Josh Allen AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

FOXBOROUGH — Since Gillette Stadium is relatively close to Providence, some opposing teams opt to stay there when they come to play against the Patriots.

The Buffalo Bills stayed at a hotel in downtown Providence on Saturday, less than two miles away from the scene where a gunman opened fire at Brown University Saturday afternoon,The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported.

Two people died and nine were injured in the shooting. A person of interest was taken into custody Sunday morning, officials said.

The Bills arrived safely for their Sunday afternoon contest against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium where a moment of silence was held for the victims before the game.

The Buffalo Bills are staying at a downtown Providence hotel less than two miles from the active-shooter scene near Brown University. 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.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 14, 2025

“Very, very scary situation,” said Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, the NFL’s reigning MVP. “Obviously, condolences to the families and prayers are out to everyone that was involved and affected by it. It’s a terrible thing. But, yeah, obviously, we’re out.

“Some guys were eating dinner blocks away from where it was going on. And making sure that we were getting updates from our team. I thought we did a great job of communicating with everybody and adding some extra security at the hotel. But, yeah, very scary situation.”

Players received text alerts about the shooting while they were eating dinner, Allen said.

“It was like ‘This is going on. Everybody get back to the hotel.’ Once we got back we weren’t allowed to leave or go outside,” offensive lineman Spencer Brown told reporters, per MassLive. “That was super sad for those victims. We prayed last night at team chapel and today and team meeting. It was pretty crazy that it was right down the street.”

Buffalo won the game 35-31, overcoming a 21 point deficit to beat the Patriots and remain in the mix for the AFC East division title.

The final question of Bills coach Sean McDermott’s postgame press conference had nothing to do with football.

“I should have started this press conference off by extending our prayers, thoughts, sympathies,” McDermott said. “I mean, just a very unfortunate situation and a shame. It really is. And I pray for them.”

“We prayed for them as a team last night, for everyone involved,” the coach added. “Brown University. So, there’s things in life that are bigger than football, and I thought it was important that we did that when we came together as a team last night. Just a shame. Just unfortunate and a shame that that goes on in our world.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.