Investigation Update From Providence Police
Police say they have identified a person of interest linked to the deadly shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others hurt. Sources familiar with the case shared the update with CBS News, the US partner of the BBC. Officers are now actively searching for this individual, though they have not released a name or further personal details.
Search Enters Sixth Day
The shooting happened on Saturday, and the investigation has now moved into its sixth day. Detectives continue to canvass nearby neighborhoods, knock on doors, and ask residents to share any home security footage that may help. Police are also urging anyone with tips to come forward as they work to track down the suspect.
Surveillance Images Released
On Wednesday, authorities released a still image of a person they believe was near the main person of interest around the time of the attack. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said officers want to speak with this individual, explaining that the person may have information important to the case.
Earlier in the week, police shared video clips pieced together from home security cameras. The footage shows a man walking around the Brown University campus. He appears to be wearing a black mask covering his mouth and a black hat. According to Chief Perez, the behavior seen in the video suggests the person may have been surveying the area before the shooting. He described this as a common tactic used by criminals.
Public Reaction and Official Response
Some community members have voiced frustration, saying progress in the case seems slow. In response, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said investigators remain confident. He stated that the shooter will be caught and that it is only a matter of time.
To support the search, the FBI has announced a reward of fifty thousand dollars for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for the attack.
Victims Identified
The shooting took place inside the Barus and Holley engineering building during final exams. Authorities confirmed the two students who lost their lives were Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a freshman student who was Uzbek American.
