To: RI FIRST Tech Challenge Community

From: Thomas Rishworth, Co-Program Delivery Partner, RI FIRST Tech Challenge

Date: Monday, December 15, 2025

Subject: Statement on December 13, 2025 Emergency Situation at Wheeler School Qualifying Tournament

Dear RI FIRST Tech Challenge Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we write to you today regarding the tragedy at Brown University Saturday evening, which occurred while an RI FTC Qualifying Tournament was being held at The Wheeler School just outside of the Brown University campus.

At 4:22 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, while Playoff matches were underway at RI FTC’s Wheeler School Qualifying Tournament, multiple attendees notified tournament officials of a Brown University emergency alert for an active shooter near the Barus & Holley Engineering Building, two blocks from the tournament location at The Wheeler School’s Madden Gymnasium. 

Tournament officials and Wheeler School staff immediately locked all doors to the gymnasium, closed and locked all gates to Wheeler School’s campus, ceased all tournament activity, and communicated a shelter in place order to all attendees over the public address system. Shortly thereafter, tournament officials contacted law enforcement, and were directed to continue sheltering in place, with the gymnasium lights off, until further notice. Wheeler School administrators arrived at the gymnasium around 5:15 p.m., and in collaboration with tournament officials, all tournament attendees were kept informed via the public address system of any relevant information about the continuation of the shelter in place order. 

Under the advice of law enforcement officials and Wheeler School administration, it was requested that all coaches contact parents and guardians of all students to inform them that all attendees were safe, and ask that families not travel to Wheeler School’s campus due to the ongoing law enforcement presence in the area. Attendees were provided water and access to restrooms throughout the incident, and at approximately 7:30 p.m., Wheeler School administration, in collaboration with law enforcement and tournament officials, announced that an organized dismissal of the gymnasium would be conducted under supervision of Providence Police. All attendees left the venue safely by 9:00 p.m.

The safety and security of all FIRST tournament attendees and venues is of the utmost importance. RI FTC extends its deepest gratitude to Brown University Police, Providence Police, FIRST Headquarters Staff, local FIRST Tournament Officials, and Wheeler School Administration, Faculty and Staff for ensuring that all students, coaches, parents/guardians, volunteers and spectators in attendance remained safe throughout the incident.

The events which unfolded Saturday evening are unimaginably tragic, and our thoughts are with all who are affected by this senseless act of violence. We know this is an incredibly traumatic experience for many, and would like to share some resources to support families and our community as we all look to find ways to cope during this difficult time:

For Educators:

• RIDE School Mental Health Resources: https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/health-safety/school-mental-health

  • Learn more about RIDE’s school mental health initiatives and access resources related to a comprehensive school mental health system.

• Let It Out: https://www.letitoutri.com/

  • Let It Out is a great big long-term program of classroom activities, ideas and tools to help teachers, school support staff, and families cope with the challenges our students face daily.

For Parents/Guardians:

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/

  • Offers guides for parents, tips for talking to kids, and resources for understanding trauma from mass violence.

For All Attendees:

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence

  • Provides tips for helping individuals cope after traumatic events and resources specific to school shootings.

• FIRST Headquarters: https://www.firstinspires.org/hubfs/web/about/policy/Mental-Health-Resources-2025_.pdf

  • FIRST has developed a Mental Health Resources document with guidance and links to organizations dedicated to youth mental health issues. This document is designed to provide coaches, mentors, teams, participants, and the wider community with tools to support young people when they need it most.

For Immediate Crisis Support:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

  • Dial or text 988 for free, confidential support available 24/7

• Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/

  • Text HOME to 741741 for immediate support from a trained counselor

In Cases of Immediate Danger: If someone is at immediate risk, call local emergency services or 911

At this time, RI FTC will not be providing any details on the completion of the Wheeler School Qualifying Tournament. Our chief concern is for the safety and well-being of our community during the difficult days and weeks ahead. Information regarding the completion of the Wheeler School Qualifying Tournament, as well as distribution of awards, will be shared at a later date.

For those who were with us on Saturday, we want to thank each and every one of you for your professionalism and leadership, and for coming together as a community to keep one another safe. We hope you will join us in offering our most sincere condolences to all who have been impacted during this unfathomable experience for our communities, our state, and our country.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (401) 644-4187 or via email at trishworth@firstpartners.org.

With gratitude,

Thomas Rishworth

Co-Program Delivery Partner

RI FIRST Tech Challenge