Police efforts to identify and arrest the suspect behind a deadly mass shooting at Brown University have now reportedly taken a troubling turn, as authorities acknowledged Sunday and Monday that no one is currently in custody, despite early reports suggesting otherwise.
The shooting, which unfolded during final exams, left multiple people dead and several others wounded, plunging the Ivy League campus into shock.
Early Sunday, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez told reporters that a suspect in their 30s had been detained in connection with the attack, according to WJAR. Police initially indicated they were not searching for additional suspects. However, subsequent reporting clarified that authorities do not, in fact, have anyone in custody as the investigation moves into its third day, raising serious questions about public safety and the accuracy of early official statements.
The attack occurred Saturday afternoon inside a first-floor classroom in the Barus & Holley engineering building. According to The Associated Press, the gunman used a handgun and fired more than 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Investigators recovered two loaded 30-round magazines at the scene, but as of Sunday morning, the weapon itself had not been found.
Surveillance video released by police shows the suspect dressed in black, calmly walking away from the building after the shooting. Witnesses told police the individual may have been wearing a camouflage-style mask, complicating identification efforts. The footage, combined with the lack of an arrest, has intensified anxiety among students and families.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that ten of the victims were students. One victim remained in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital, while six others required intensive care but were listed as stable. Paxson acknowledged the deep trauma facing the campus community. “Everybody’s reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us,” she said. “Our community’s strong, and we’ll get through it, but it’s devastating.”
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the broader implications, noting that city officials had trained for such a scenario even though it should never be necessary. “We all, intellectually, knew it could happen anywhere, including here,” Smiley said. “It’s not something that we should have to train for, but we have.”
Federal authorities have stepped in to assist. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on X that agents are supporting local law enforcement and urged the public to pray for those affected. “Please pray for all those involved,” Patel wrote.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee called the shooting “an unthinkable tragedy,” echoing the grief felt across the state.
As the investigation continues, the lack of a suspect in custody has fueled frustration and concern, particularly given the initial announcement of an arrest. With the shooter still at large and critical questions unanswered, the focus now turns to whether law enforcement can quickly restore confidence and deliver justice for a community devastated by violence during what should have been a routine academic milestone.
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