PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – Nearly 30 hours after a deadly shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island authorities said Sunday night that they were still searching for the gunman and that a person of interest previously detained had been released.
The attack, which occurred Saturday afternoon, left at least two students dead and nine others wounded, including one in critical condition. The shooting took place during a final exam review for a Principles of Economics class when a masked individual entered the lecture hall and opened fire with a rifle. Investigators initially detained a person of interest Sunday morning, but top officials announced late Sunday that there was insufficient evidence to charge him. Police and federal authorities are now focusing on a separate individual seen walking quickly in video footage of the campus, though officials said there is no way to confirm whether the attacker remains in Providence. Limited surveillance footage from inside the building has hindered the investigation.
Seven of the nine hospitalized students were reported in stable condition by Sunday morning, while the city’s mayor praised the resilience of survivors. One first-year student described helping a fellow victim while hiding in the classroom, sharing a water bottle as the attack unfolded. In response to the shooting, Brown University canceled all remaining exams for the semester and encouraged students to prioritize their safety and well-being.