Person of Interest in Custody Following Deadly Brown University Shooting
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Two students were killed and nine others wounded in a shooting at Brown University on Saturday, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and leaving the Providence, Rhode Island community reeling.
A person of interest was taken into custody overnight in connection with the shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon in an engineering building during final exams. The tragic event has shaken the Ivy League institution and the surrounding city, with officials working to support victims and ensure campus safety.
Immediate Aftermath and Victim Status
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed reporters Sunday, providing an update on the condition of those hospitalized. “Seven of those hospitalized remain in stable condition and one is in critical condition,” he stated. One individual with less severe injuries has already been discharged. University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all those killed and wounded in the shooting were students. Smiley also noted that authorities were still working to notify all of the victims’ families as of Sunday afternoon.
“Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us,” Paxson said at a news conference Sunday. “Our community’s strong and we’ll get through it, but it’s devastating.”
Investigation and Suspect Details
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the incident. Surveillance video released by police depicts the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. However, the suspect’s face is obscured, and investigators have not yet confirmed whether the individual is a student at Brown University.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez stated Sunday afternoon that the investigation is progressing “extremely fast,” but declined to confirm if the person on the surveillance video is the same individual currently in custody. Perez also confirmed that the name of the person of interest would not be released at this time, nor would details regarding their affiliation with the university be disclosed.
According to reports, the detained suspect is in their 30s. The individual was apprehended at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 20 miles from Providence. A law enforcement source revealed to CBS News that the person of interest possessed two guns at the time of their arrest and is not currently enrolled as a student at Brown University.
Campus Response and Ongoing Safety Measures
The shelter-in-place order that was issued for Brown University and surrounding areas on Saturday has been lifted. However, the university cautioned that police activity continues in areas designated as an active crime scene, and access to those areas remains limited.
University officials announced Sunday that remaining classes and exams for the semester have been cancelled, and students are permitted to leave campus. Those who choose to stay will have access to ongoing services and support. Provost Francis Doyle emphasized the importance of prioritizing care and support for the community during this difficult time. “At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle wrote in a statement.
Mayor Smiley indicated that an increased police presence will be visible throughout the city to provide reassurance to the community, though not directly related to the ongoing investigation.
Investigators are still working to determine how the shooter gained access to the first-floor classroom where the shooting occurred. While outer doors to the building were unlocked, rooms used for final exams required badge access, according to Smiley.
Pat Milton contributed to this report.
