Brown University shooting latest: ‘Person of interest’ released and manhunt continues for suspect in attack that killed 2

WorldPolitics
15 Dec 2025 • 6:13 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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A “person of interest” who was taken into custody in the early morning hours Sunday has been released, resuming a manhunt for the suspect who killed two students and injured nine others in a mass shooting on Brown University’s campus.

Providence police said a man in his 20s was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, several miles away from the university campus.

But officials announced they planned to release him during a hastily arranged press conference late Sunday night.

“Obviously we have a murderer out there, frankly, and so we’re not going to give away the game plan,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters.

Brown University has lifted its campus-wide shelter-in-place order, although hundreds of police officers remain in an area still considered an active crime scene.

Two people died in the attack at the Ivy League school while seven injured people were in stable condition as of Sunday. One person remains in critical, but stable, condition. Another injured person had been released from the hospital.

More than 400 law enforcement personnel are joining the search for a suspect. Officials released a video of a person they believe is a suspect, a male dressed in black who has not yet been publicly identified.

Read More

Brown University shooting: Everything we know after two people killed in Providence, Rhode Island

They survived school shootings. Now these Brown students are angry and in shock after university killings

Police release footage of suspect in Brown University shooting as manhunt continues

Key Points

  • Manhunt continues as person of interest released
  • Victim named in mass shooting attack was from Alabama, church says
  • Student reveals moment gunman burst into lecture hall
  • Brown: No immediate threat to university - but remain vigilant
  • North Carolina school confirms alumna is among injured
  • 'Person of interest' was detained on Sunday

Democratic senator says Trump launched ‘dizzying campaign’ of violence after Brown shooting

13:05 , Alex Croft

A Democratic senator who was a champion of gun reforms in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in his state blamed Donald Trump on Sunday for encouraging a “dizzying” campaign of violence, hours after authorities announced that a person of interest was apprehended for a mass shooting at Brown University.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy told CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union that the president’s rhetoric and actions since returning to the White House made violence “more likely” in America.

Representing the state in the Senate since 2013, the senator is a leading voice for gun safety restrictions among members of his party.

His remarks came after America was rocked by news Saturday evening of a gunman opening fire in an academic building at the Ivy League university in Rhode Island, killing two people and wounding nine others.

“He has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country, and I think you’re unfortunately going to see the results of that on the streets of America,” Murphy said.

Read more here.

Brown University shooting: Everything we know about the campus attack that left 2 dead and 9 injured

12:43 , Alex Croft

Two students were killed and at least nine others were injured after a gunman fired into a classroom at a prestigious Ivy League university in Rhode Island.

Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University in Providence forced campus buildings and parts of the city into lockdown, with students barricading themselves in buildings for hours while hundreds of law enforcement officers swarmed the city.

The suspect escaped before police arrived and — except for one brief surveillance video showing a person dressed in black rounding a corner outside the campus — all but disappeared.

A “person of interest” was detained in the early morning hours Sunday, but officials said he was released late that night.

Graig Graziosi reports on everything we know so far.

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Brown University shooting: Everything we know about the campus attack

Person of interest came from FBI tip, police say

12:20 , Alex Croft

Colonel Oscar L. Perez said the FBI acted on a tip to track down the person of interest.

“There was a tip that came in specifically identifying a person of interest, which was this individual,” he told reporters Sunday.

“Our detectives got on it but this specific one was actually picked up by the FBI ... They ended up locating this individual of interest,” he added.

“At that point, we did a thorough investigation ... drafted some search warrants, came up with some evidence,” Perez said.

But “we didn’t have enough to prosecute anybody so that person was released,” he said.

Rhode Island Attorney General: 'Obviously we have a murderer out there'

11:54 , Alex Croft

As officials acknowledged a massive blow to the Brown University community, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters Sunday that “sometimes you head in one direction, and then you have to regroup and go in another, and that’s exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so.

“Obviously we have a murderer out there, frankly, and so we’re not going to give away the game plan,” he said.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the news of the release of a person of interest — with no suspect in hand — is “likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.

“We believe that you remain safe in our community,” he added.

Brown University victims were aspiring neurosurgeon and a family’s ‘bright light’

11:24 , Alex Croft

The loved ones of the two students killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday have spoken out, as the investigation into the attack in Rhode Island continues.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who was killed on Saturday, was an aspiring neurosurgeon and was described by his family as “the most kind-hearted person.”

Ella Cook, a student from Alabama, also died from her injuries and was described as her family’s “bright light.”

The shooting unfolded at 4 p.m. local time at the Barus and Holley engineering building, where students’ final exams were taking place.

US reporter Owen Scott reports on the victims of the Brown University shooting:

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Brown University victims were aspiring neurosurgeon and a family’s ‘bright light’

In pictures: Candles lit during vigil on Sunday evening

11:01 , Alex Croft

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Former 'Survivor' contestant left the building just before shooting

10:31 , Alex Croft

Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show "Survivor," said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out.

The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on "Survivor" as the show's first openly autistic contestant.

She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated, the Associated Press reported.

Alex Bruce, a senior biochemistry student, was working on a final research project in his dorm across the street from the building when he heard sirens outside.

"I'm just in here shaking," he said, watching through the window as officers surrounded his dorm.

Watch: Police release 'person of interest' in Brown University shooting investigation

10:09 , Alex Croft

Student reveals moment gunman burst into lecture hall and made eye contact

09:44 , Alex Croft

Brown University student Joseph Oduro has revealed the moment the gunman burst into a lecture hall, dressed head–toe in black and wielding a rifle.

"The gun was so big and long that I genuinely thought, like, okay, this is the end of the road for me,” Oduro, who was in room 160 of the Barus & Holley building alongside around 50 other students, told ABC News.

"We made eye contact. I know he mumbled something, screamed something, I don't know exactly what was said, but he entered the room and you could just see the panic in all the students' eyes. I was standing in the front so as soon as he walked in, he immediately saw me and I immediately saw him."

Oduro dropped to the floor and took cover behind a table, around 30 feet away from the gunman. He estimates that he heard around 40 to 50 gunshots, during a period which “felt like 14 days”.

After texting his parents that he loved them, the gunman left the room, and the students remaining started frozen behind desks until police came into the room.

Trump pays respects to Brown University victims

09:15 , Alex Croft

President Donald Trump offered his condolences following shootings at Brown University, Bondi Beach and in Syria before his unscripted remarks at a Christmas reception at the White House.

The president addressed a room full of supporters for more than 40 minutes Sunday as First Lady Melania Trump stood by his side.

“I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately,” Trump said. “Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven.”

The shooting, which took place on the Ivy League college’s Providence campus on Saturday, left two dead and nine people wounded. After embarking on a multi-agency manhunt, authorities said they have a person of interest in custody.

“Likewise in Australia, as you know there was a terrible attack,” the president added. “That was an antisemitic attack, obviously. I just want to pay my respects to everybody.”

Read more here:

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Trump offers condolences after Brown, Bondi Beach and Syria killings

Brown: No immediate threat to university - but remain vigilant

08:52 , Alex Croft

Brown University has responded to the news that police were due to release the individual they had detained in connection with the campus shooting on Saturday.

“Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate, and local police have advised they do not believe there is any immediate threat to Brown or the local community,” the university said in a statement late on Sunday night.

Brown noted that the Rhode Island Attorney General had stated that there is “no basis” to consider the released individual a person of interest.

Heightened local, state and federal policy activity remains, as investigations continue and authorities scale up patrols in the area, the statement added.

It also advised “every member of the Brown community to be vigilant in their own activities on campus”.

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Shooting took place during busy period for university students

08:29 , Alex Croft

The shooting on Brown university campus took place on one of the busiest moments in the academic calendar - during final exams.

Brown has now canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the remainder of the semester and students have been told they can leave the campus.

The response by the university understands the gravity of the shooting and the direct impact it has had on the students.

As police scoured the area for the shooter, many students remained barricaded in rooms while others hid behind furniture and bookshelves. One video showed students in a library shaking and wincing as they heard loud bangs just before police entered the room to clear the building.

University President Christina Paxson teared up while describing her conversations with students both on campus and in the hospital.

"They are amazing and they're supporting each other," she said at a news conference. "There's just a lot of gratitude.”

Watch: Police release brief footage of suspect in mass shooting

08:00 , Alex Woodward

Watch: Senator says Trump ushered in campaign of violence

07:00 , Alex Woodward

Second victim named in mass shooting wanted to be a neurosurgeon

06:00 , Alex Woodward

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was among the two people killed in the mass shooting at Brown University, according to a fundraiser from his family.

“He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people,” the fundraiser says.

“He continues to be my family’s biggest role model in all aspects. He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew.”

Another victim, Ella Cook, was remembered by her church in Alabama as an “incredibly grounded and generous and faithful” and a “bright light” in the church and in her community.

Everything we know about the campus attack that left 2 dead and 9 injured

05:30 , Alex Woodward

A “person of interest” was detained in the early morning hours Sunday, but officials said he was released late that night, resuming a manhunt more than 30 hours after the attack.

Here is everything we know.

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Brown University shooting: Everything we know about the campus attack

Person of interest came from FBI tip, police say

04:55 , Alex Woodward

Colonel Oscar L. Perez said the FBI acted on a tip to track down the person of interest.

“There was a tip that came in specifically identifying a person of interest, which was this individual,” he told reporters Sunday.

“Our detectives got on it but this specific one was actually picked up by the FBI ... They ended up locating this individual of interest,” he added.

“At that point, we did a thorough investigation ... drafted some search warrants, came up with some evidence,” Perez said.

But “we didn’t have enough to prosecute anybody so that person was released,” he said.

They survived school shootings. Now these Brown students are angry and in shock after university killings

04:45 , Ariana Baio

For two Brown University students, receiving a campus-wide emergency text message of an active shooter triggered memories of school shootings they experienced as children.

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Brown University students who survived other school shootings are angry and in shock

Rhode Island Attorney General: 'Obviously we have a murderer out there'

04:40 , Alex Woodward

As officials acknowledged a massive blow to the Brown University community, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told reporters Sunday that “sometimes you head in one direction, and then you have to regroup and go in another, and that’s exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so.

“Obviously we have a murderer out there, frankly, and so we’re not going to give away the game plan,” he said.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the news of the release of a person of interest — with no suspect in hand — is “likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.

“We believe that you remain safe in our community,” he added.

Breaking: Manhunt continues as person of interest to be released

04:22 , Alex Woodward

The person of interest in the Brown University shooting is being released, according to the mayor of Providence.

“I once again encourage anyone who thinks that they might have relevant information to assist with our ongoing investigation,” Mayor Brett Smiley said in a hastily arranged news briefing Sunday night.

Law enforcement officials said “evidence now points in a different direction.”

The manhunt continues for a suspect who killed two people and injured nine others more than 30 hours after the attack.

Victim named in mass shooting attack was from Alabama, church says

04:15 , Alex Woodward

An Alabama woman was among the two students killed in the mass shooting at Brown University, according to her church.

Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham said one of its parishioners, Ella Cook, was killed in Saturday’s attack.

“Heartbroken tonight over the news that Ella Cook from Birmingham was killed in yesterday’s shooting at Brown University,” Alabama Rep. Terry Sewell wrote, sharing new

“My prayers are with her family and loved ones,” she said.

'Person of interest' in the Brown University mass shooting was detained on Sunday

03:02 , Brendan Rascius

A “person of interest” in the Brown University mass shooting was detained at hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning, officials said.

“The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a Sunday press conference.

Graig Graziosi reports...

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Brown University shooting: Everything we know about the campus attack

Rhode Island officials say investigation into Brown University shooting remains 'active and ongoing'

02:35 , Brendan Rascius

Providence officials announced on Sunday evening that the investigation into the mass shooting at Brown University “remains active and ongoing.”

More information will be provided as officials obtain “a clearer and more complete picture of the circumstances involved,” Providence Chief Public Information Officer for Public Safety Kristy DosReis said in statement released at 7:58 p.m.

Democratic senator says Trump launched ‘dizzying campaign’ of violence after Brown shooting

02:33 , Brendan Rascius

A Democratic senator who was a champion of gun reforms in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in his state blamed Donald Trump on Sunday for encouraging a “dizzying” campaign of violence, hours after authorities announced that a person of interest was apprehended for a mass shooting at Brown University.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy told CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union that the president’s rhetoric and actions since returning to the White House made violence “more likely” in America.

“He has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country, and I think you’re unfortunately going to see the results of that on the streets of America,” Murphy said.

John Bowden reports...

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Dem senator says Trump launched ‘dizzying campaign’ of violence before Brown shooting

Brown student aided shot classmate ‘to keep them from bleeding out’

02:03 , Brendan Rascius

Amith Chintalapati, a junior at Brown University, told NBC News that he was walking on campus yesterday when he saw victims of the mass shooting on the street.

“I saw some people huddled on the ground, and I realized that two people got shot and had made their way to the street, and people were applying pressure and trying to keep them from bleeding out,” he told the outlet on Sunday.

He said one of the victims was a classmate of his and that he rushed to assist.

“I just kept telling him he was OK and to breathe and just wait for the EMTs to arrive,” Chintalapati said.

Soon after, police arrived and instructed him to take shelter. He hid out in a dorm room for about eight hours and was informed around midnight that his classmate was in stable condition in the hospital.

Federal agents visited Wisconsin home tied to person of interest in Brown University shooting

01:05 , Brendan Rascius

Federal agents were observed at a home tied to Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old Wisconsin man, who is a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University, according to the Providence Journal.

Agents were seen at the home, located in Cedarburg, around 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Dem senator who backed Sandy Hook reforms says Trump launched ‘dizzying campaign’ of violence

00:45 , John Bowden

A Democratic senator who was a champion of gun reforms in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in his state blamed Donald Trump on Sunday for encouraging a “dizzying” campaign of violence, hours after authorities announced that a person of interest was apprehended for a mass shooting at Brown University.

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Dem senator says Trump launched ‘dizzying campaign’ of violence before Brown shooting

Rhode Island Blood Center says its received 'outpouring of support' following Brown University mass shooting

00:42 , Brendan Rascius

The Rhode Island Blood Center, a non-profit blood donation organization, said it has received an “outpouring of support” following the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday.

“Thank you, Providence,” the organization said in a statement on Sunday evening. “Because of the incredible outpouring of support from our community, the Providence Donor Center will close today at 6:00 PM. Thank you to every donor and community member who stepped up today — your compassion and generosity mean everything.”

Democratic lawmaker says mass shootings shouldn't be normalized

00:11 , Brendan Rascius

Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, called for an end to the “epidemic” of gun violence following the mass shooting at Brown University.

“From Columbine, to Sandy Hook, to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Providence, too many of our communities have been shattered by senseless gun violence,” Crow wrote on X on Sunday evening. “It shouldn’t be normal. It can’t be normal. We have to fight every day to keep our kids safe and end this epidemic.”

Identified person of interest is an Army veteran

Sunday 14 December 2025 23:00 , Ariana Baio

Benjamin Erickson, the man whom law enforcement sources have told the Washington Post, is the person of interest detained by authorities, was in the U.S. Army from 2021 until 2024, according to records.

Erickson, 24, served as an infantryman for three years. His service ended in November 2024.

Officials have not publicly identified Erickson as the person of interest. The Providence police chief and Mayor Smiley have said they will not identify the person of interest until all evidence has been gathered and they are ready to pursue charges.

More than 200 gather for candlelit vigil

Sunday 14 December 2025 22:45 , Ariana Baio

More than 200 people in the Providence and Brown University community gathered in Lippitt Memorial Park this evening to remember the two students who were killed and nine other injured in a shooting.

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Joe Biden calls for gun violence prevention

Sunday 14 December 2025 22:30 , Ariana Baio

They survived school shootings. Now these Brown students are angry and in shock after university killings

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:51 , Ariana Baio

For two Brown University students, receiving a campus-wide emergency text message of an active shooter triggered memories of school shootings they experienced as children.

Mia Tretta, 21, a junior at the university, survived a gunshot wound to the stomach in 2019 when a boy began firing at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Her best friend, Dominic Blackwell, was killed.

Tretta said she spent Saturday evening locked down in her dorm room, learning that two students were killed and nine others were injured in a mass shooting at the Rhode Island university.

Read more here:

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Brown University students who survived other school shootings are angry and in shock

New York City is increasing campus security after Rhode Island mass shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:49 , Brendan Rascius

New York City officials announced today that they are ramping up security at local college campuses following yesterday’s mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a news conference that this is being done as a precaution and that there is no active threat.

A Democratic congresswoman criticized Trump for his remarks about Brown University shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:32 , Brendan Rascius

Congresswoman Angie Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, criticized President Donald Trump for his remarks today about the Brown University shooting.

“Parents will bury their children this week due to the senseless act of gun violence at Brown yesterday,” Craig wrote on X. “His response is that ‘things can happen.’ This is President Trump’s America.”

Person of interest identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Erikson, law enforcement sources tell NBC News

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:16 , Brendan Rascius

The man taken into custody as a person of interest in the Brown University shooting is 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, multiple law enforcement officials with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

Rhode Island governor directs flags to fly at half-staff to honor victims of shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:15 , Brendan Rascius

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee ordered flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Brown University.

“In the face of tragedy, Rhode Island will do what we do best: come together with compassion and resolve to support one another,” McKee said in a statement on Sunday.

Brown University senior recounts his experience sheltering on campus

Sunday 14 December 2025 21:01 , Brendan Rascius

A former CNN intern and senior at Brown University recounted his experience on campus during Saturday’s mass shooting.

Lydell Dyer told CNN on Sunday that he was inside the school gym when an email alerted him about an active shooter.

“We didn’t really have that much of a protocol in place,” Dyer said. “It was me and one other student who were working there. We were very lucky that there was another faculty member there who helped us. But, you know, once we heard about the active shooter, we went into lockdown.

“We gathered everybody up,” he added. “Went to the third floor of our building. We locked the doors. We had to turn off the lights, close the blinds, and then we sat there in silence and darkness for hours.”

North Carolina school confirms alumna is among injured

Sunday 14 December 2025 20:45 , Ariana Baio

Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, said that one of its recent graduates is among the students at Brown University who were injured, in an email to the Associated Press.

The school said it’s former student, Kendall Turner, was in critical but stable condition as of Sunday and that her parents were with her.

“Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead,” the school said.

Watch: Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy says Trump has 'increased violence' in the US after Brown University shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 20:30 , Ariana Baio

Suspected shooter found with two handguns: report

Sunday 14 December 2025 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Officials reportedly recovered two handguns when they took a person of interest into custody Sunday morning, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.

Along with the handguns, authorities reportedly found two loaded 30-round magazines.

Officials in Rhode Island have not formally released any information about the suspect or evidence collected.

In Photos: Brown University, one day after the deadly shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 19:45 , Ariana Baio image is not availableimage is not availableimage is not available

Melania Trump offer prayers to gun violence victims

Sunday 14 December 2025 19:18 , Ariana Baio

Giving brief remarks at the White House Christmas reception, First Lady Melania Trump said she heart was with the families who lost loved ones to gun violence this weekend.

“First of all, my thoughts and prayers go to the families of people who lost their loved ones around the world,” Melania Trump said.

“In this difficult time, we are celebrating here Christmas, and I’m thinking about them, what they’re going through.

“My heart is with them,” she added.

Officials are gathering evidence for prosecutors to file charges

Sunday 14 December 2025 19:00 , Ariana Baio

The Providence police chief said law enforcement were working quickly to gather all evidence applicable to the investigation into the shooting at Brown University, in the hopes prosecutors can file charges quickly.

The person of interest detained cannot be held for more than 48 hours when arrested on a weekend, according to Rhode Island criminal law.

"We're going to work with the attorney general's office to make sure that we have the right legal requirements for the charges," Perez said, per NBC News.

Seven students remain hospitalized

Sunday 14 December 2025 18:30 , Ariana Baio

Of the nine students who were injured in the Brown University shooting, seven remain hospitalized in stable condition.

One is considered to be in critical condition but is also stable, officials said Sunday.

Another student is expected to be discharged sometime on Sunday.

Trump sends 'deepest regards and respects' to families of two killed students

Sunday 14 December 2025 18:12 , Ariana Baio

At the White House Christmas Reception, Trump began remarks by acknowledging the two students killed and nine others injured at Brown University on Saturday evening.

“Brown University – great school, really one of the greatest schools anywhere in the world,” Trump said.

“Things can happen. To the nine injured, get well fast and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America.”

Now: Trump speaking at White House

Sunday 14 December 2025 18:07 , Ariana Baio

President Donald Trump is speaking at the White House now, after the deadly shooting at Brown University.

Student who survived attack told mayor active shooter drills helped

Sunday 14 December 2025 18:00 , Ariana Baio

During Sunday afternoon’s press conference, Mayor Smiley said that one of the survivors of the shooting told him that active shooter drills helped prepare him for what to do during the shooting.

“[He] Literally said to me, ‘You know that active shooter drill they made me do in high school actually helped me in the moment. Which at the same time provided me hope and was so sad,’” Smiley told reporters.

“We shouldn’t have to do active shooter drills, but it helped.”

Person of interest is in mid-20s, police chief says

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:44 , Ariana Baio

The Providence police chief said the person of interest is a male in their mid-20s.

Earlier reporting indicated the suspect may have been in their 30s.

Patel says a lead from Providence police led to detaining person of interest

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:26 , Ariana Baio

FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday that a “lead” from the Providence Police Department helped lead local, state and federal law enforcement to detain a person of interest at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island.

Patel said using the lead, the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team helped provide geolocation data that led to the person of interest.

Despite posting that information, local police in Providence said they would not confirm anything in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

Mayor met with survivors in hospital

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:09 , Ariana Baio

Mayor Brett Smiley says he met with some of the victims and their families at the hospital.

“These survivors are receiving excellent care, and the resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me is frankly pretty overwhelming,” Smiley said.

Officials will hold a memorial Sunday night

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:06 , Ariana Baio

Members of the community are invited to Lippitt Memorial Park Sunday at 5 p.m. for a lighting that will serve as a small memorial for the two individuals who were killed in a shooting.

The community was expected to gather in the park for a lighting to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

Mayor says no major updates

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:03 , Ariana Baio

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Sunday afternoon there were no major updates to share on law enforcement’s ongoing investigation into the shooting at Brown University.

Officials said they would provide updates as necessary but would be careful not to release information that could compromise their probe.

Officials hold press conference

Sunday 14 December 2025 17:01 , Ariana Baio

Officials are holding a press conference to provide updates on the investigation.

First year Brown student describes helping seriously injured classmate

Sunday 14 December 2025 16:33 , Ariana Baio

Spencer Yang, a first-year student at Brown University who was shot in the leg during a shooting at the school Saturday evening, described how he helped a seriously injured student as they hid behind seats in a classroom.

“To keep him conscious, I just started talking to him, so he didn’t close his eyes and fall asleep,” Yang, 18, told the New York Times in an interview from the hospital.

“I handed him my water,” Yang said. “He wasn’t able to respond that well. He was just there nodding and making noise.”

The other student is now in stable condition.

Yang was in a lecture-style classroom when a person walked in and began shooting. He described the scene as “chaos,” saying people began running down toward the area where the professor typically stands. He told NYT that the most seriously injured students had not reached the front of the room.

Suspect was taken into custody from nearby hotel

Sunday 14 December 2025 15:46 , Ariana Baio

The person accused of killing two people and injuring nine others at Brown University Saturday evening was taken into custody from a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island – just several miles away from Providence.

A guest staying at the hotel told CNN he saw a large number of law enforcement officers outside of the building, including FBI, US Marshals and police.

“We came up to see the snow from Florida and we didn’t expect to see this,” the guest, Mark LaFountaine, told CNN.

Photos show hotel room where suspected shooter was apprehended

Sunday 14 December 2025 15:00 , Ariana Baio image is not available

Brown postpones finals in wake of shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 14:40 , Ariana Baio

Brown University is postponing all final exams, papers or projects for Fall 2025 in the wake of the devastating shooting that took place Saturday evening.

“Given the deeply tragic events that took place on our campus yesterday, all remaining undergraduate, graduate and medical classes, exams, and papers or projects for the Fall 2025 semester will not take place as scheduled,” Provost Francis J. Doyle III wrote.

“This choice was made out of our profound concern for all students, faculty and staff on our campus.”

Doyle said students can expect further updates later.

Watch: Providence police release brief footage of suspect in Brown University shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 14:30 , Ariana Baio

Mass shootings more common in US – which has some of most permissive gun laws in developed world

Sunday 14 December 2025 14:00 , Tara Cobham

Compared to many countries, mass shootings in schools, workplaces, and places of worship are more common in the US, which has some of the most permissive gun laws in the developed world. The Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as any incident in which four or more victims have been shot, has counted 389 of them this year in the US, including at least six such shootings at schools.

Last year, the US had more than 500 mass shootings, according to the archive.

'Breathe a little easier' Providence residents told

Sunday 14 December 2025 13:32 , Graeme Massie

Providence residents should be relieved that a “person of interest” is in custody after an hours-long manhunt, according to the city’s mayor.

“The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said at a Sunday morning news conference.

Brown students say they waited under desks for two hours during shooting

Sunday 14 December 2025 13:30 , Tara Cobham

As news of the shooting spread, the school told students to shelter in place.

Brown student Chiang-Heng Chien told local TV station WJAR he was working in a lab with three other students when he saw the text about the active shooter situation a block away. They waited under desks for about two hours, he said.