LAW enforcement agencies say they are making headway in the investigation into the deadly shooting at Brown University, as newly released photos and surveillance videos offer what officials describe as a crucial lead in identifying the gunman.
Providence Police Chief Oscar L. Perez Jr said investigators are focusing on footage captured at about 2pm on Saturday, several hours before the attack, showing an individual moving around areas near the campus.
“The FBI has since issued a description of the person, saying he is “approximately 5’8” with a stocky build,” and warning that he may still be armed and dangerous.
The shift in focus follows the release of an earlier person of interest who had been detained shortly after the shooting.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that the individual had been freed, while Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the person had been fully cleared of any involvement.
The shooting has shaken the Ivy League institution, leaving two students dead and nine others injured. Brown University has cancelled classes and examinations, while heightened security remains in place as the campus community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
Neronha said authorities are encouraged by the progress made so far and remain confident the suspect will be located.
“I’m confident,” he said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, describing the individual captured in the released footage as “a significant person of interest, possibly more than that.”
“Hopefully very quickly, we can get this person identified, detained, questioned if possible, but certainly he is our primary person of interest right now,” he said.
Addressing comments by President Donald Trump suggesting the university bore some responsibility for delays in identifying a suspect, Neronha strongly disagreed, framing the attack as part of a broader national issue.
“It’s not a Brown problem, it’s a national problem, a symptom that happened here in Rhode Island,” he said. “What we’re focused on here is solving this crime. It’s not Brown’s fault. It’s the fault of this gunman.”
Investigators have said the gunman “definitely” targeted Brown University and are working to retrace his movements before and after the shooting to establish a clearer timeline. Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect remains in the Providence area.
Police have released multiple short video clips and still images showing the person of interest walking near fences, gates and pavements close to the campus. In the footage, the individual appears dressed in dark clothing and is seen wearing a face mask and a beanie.
As the search continues into its third day, Mayor Smiley sought to reassure residents, saying the city “remains very safe,” while confirming that police patrols around the university have been increased. An FBI team remains deployed on campus, and the bureau has announced a reward of up to US$50,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification, arrest and conviction.
Officials have also cautioned against speculation, particularly on social media. Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner urged the public to rely only on verified information from authorities.
“Unless there is official notification or official guidance, we shouldn’t be guessing or making assumptions about what the motive might have been or who the shooter might be,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“So, I would say, you know, follow those those regular press conferences from the local officials to get the real information, not the noise online,” he said. - December 16, 2025
