Authorities apprehended a “person of interest” linked to the tragic shooting at Brown University, which resulted in the deaths of two students and left nine others injured as they were taking exams before the winter break. The suspect, identified as being in his 20s, was detained in a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately a 30-minute drive from the university’s campus. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed that no other suspects are being sought at this time, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that a specialized FBI team employed cellular data analysis and geolocation information to track the suspect down. This incident marks one of nearly 400 mass shootings recorded in the United States in 2023, as listed by the Gun Violence Archive, underscoring the continued challenges of gun violence within communities.
Following the shooting, the university has canceled all exams and classes for the remainder of the year. A somber atmosphere enveloped the campus as a light snowfall fell on the city. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the community, noting that authorities were still in the process of notifying all affected families, some of whom were traveling. He urged residents to attend a previously scheduled event to light a Christmas tree and menorah, emphasizing the significance of coming together as a community during these trying times.
Regarding the injuries, Smiley reported that seven individuals were in stable condition, while one remained critically injured but stable. At the same time, one person had already been discharged from the hospital. Shelter-in-place orders that had been in effect at the university and surrounding areas were lifted on Sunday, but residents are advised to be aware of a heightened police presence in the city.
The shooting took place in a classroom within Brown’s Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, where the outer doors had been left unlocked during the exams. As the investigation continues, the community seeks healing and unity in the wake of this devastating event.