Authorities convened a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Providence Public Safety Complex to deliver an update on the ongoing investigation into the tragic shooting that occurred on the Brown University campus. The incident, which unfolded Saturday afternoon, saw a gunman open fire inside a classroom within the Barus and Holley building, a structure that houses the university’s School of Engineering and its physics department.
The devastating event resulted in the deaths of two students and left nine others with injuries.
In an effort to aid the investigation, the FBI and Providence police have released new video footage capturing the movements of a person of interest connected to the shooting. The FBI’s Boston X account initially shared a timeline video illustrating the individual’s movements, though this post was later deleted. Providence police, concurrently, disseminated a video offering enhanced views of the person of interest’s actions.
Authorities have emphasized that the identity of this individual remains unknown. They are appealing to the public for assistance, urging residents to review footage from their personal security cameras, including systems like Ring and Tesla, for any additional photographs or videos that could prove valuable to the investigation. Officials are specifically requesting that the public pay close attention to the body movements of the person of interest depicted in the released footage, as this detail may be crucial for identification.
Police stated that the person of interest was observed in the vicinity as early as 10 a.m. on Saturday, several hours before the shooting, which occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Providence Police Colonel Oscar Perez indicated that investigators suspect the individual may have been surveying the area in the hours leading up to the attack.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha addressed concerns regarding the apparent lack of extensive surveillance footage from within the building. Neronha explained that the shooting took place in an older, rear section of the Barus and Holley building, which was equipped with limited camera coverage. Students who fled the scene reportedly moved into newer sections of the building that possessed more comprehensive surveillance systems. Officials maintain that they have released all video evidence they believe most clearly depicts the person of interest.
“There is video inside the building, there are cameras inside the building,” Neronha clarified. “What we have released to you are videos of this person of interest. I want to be clear because later on, there may be other videos that get released in the course of a prosecution, likely will be at some point, they show things like chaos after the shooting. But they don’t show, is the, is this person of interest?”
Officials also touched upon the recent, unrelated death of an MIT engineering professor, who was fatally shot in his home on Tuesday. According to the FBI, there is no indication that this incident is directly connected to the Brown University shooting.
Authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that Ella Cook, one of the students who tragically lost her life, was specifically targeted. As the investigation progresses, Neronha implored the public for patience while law enforcement works diligently to bring justice to the victims. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley reported that no credible threats to the campus or the city related to the shooting have been received. Officials declined to comment on whether they believe the person of interest is still within the local community.
Key Details of the Brown University Shooting Investigation
What We Know:
- Two individuals were killed, and nine others sustained injuries in the shooting that occurred just after 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Barus and Holley engineering building.
- Of the nine injured, five are in critical but stable condition, one is in critical condition, one is in stable condition, and two have since been released from the hospital, according to university officials.
- On Tuesday afternoon, the FBI Boston X account published a six-minute timeline video detailing the approximate movements of a person of interest before and after the shooting. This video was later deleted from the account.
- Providence police have also released enhanced video footage that provides clearer views of the person of interest’s movements.
- A new image of the person of interest in the shooting was jointly released by Providence police and the FBI on Tuesday afternoon.
- Authorities released new video footage on Monday night showing the person of interest on campus both before and after the shooting incident.
- The FBI has described the person of interest as a male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a stocky build. Officials noted he was wearing all black attire and a face mask at the time.
- A reward of $50,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
- The identities of the two students killed have been confirmed: Sophomore Ella Cook, known for her piano skills and her role as vice president of the College Republicans of America chapter at Brown, and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, remembered by friends for his kindness and humor.
- Providence officials have stated that security measures have been intensified throughout the city as the investigation continues.
- Tips are actively being sought. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Providence police at 401-272-3121.
What Remains Unknown:
- The identity of the shooting suspect.
- The type of firearm used in the attack.
- The motive behind the shooting.
- How the shooter gained access to the building and the specific classroom.
- The typical level of building and classroom access for members of the school community, and whether this varies by building.
- The specifics of the university’s security infrastructure.
