Reporter Paul C. Kelly Campos of Ocean State Media summarizes ongoing work in the probe of Saturday’s shooting at Brown University, which left two people dead and at least nine others wounded. Providence Police Chief Oscar L. Perez said investigators are moving quickly but have not released the identity of a person detained Sunday morning at a Coventry, Rhode Island, hotel. Authorities described the individual as a man in his 20s.
Chief Perez declined to explain how officers were led to the location, saying investigators want to be certain of details before filing formal charges. FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team assisted in locating the person of interest. Perez reiterated that the department will withhold further information until it is 100% verified.
Mayor Brett Smiley did not disclose victims’ names, noting some family members have not yet been notified because of holiday travel. He said he had spoken with several wounded people; one has been released from the hospital, one remained in critical but stable condition, and seven others were in stable condition at the time of his update.
On campus, snow and a quiet, somber atmosphere greeted students and faculty. Many were visibly distraught. Brown medical student Anh Nguyen said he was taking exams when the lockdown was ordered and called the shooting an unimaginable act that nevertheless feels increasingly common.
Smiley said the investigation is entering a new phase as crime-scene work on campus winds down. Brown University has temporarily canceled final exams. A planned holiday tree and menorah lighting in a nearby Providence park was repurposed as a memorial for victims.
This report includes contributions from Paul C. Kelly Campos of Ocean State Media.