Brown University removes Mustapha Kharbouch's student profile amid search for shooting suspect

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: A student profile on the Brown University website was taken down as the search for the campus shooting suspect continued.

The removal of the page involved a first-year student named Mustapha Kharbouch. The act spread like wildfire on the Internet sparking tons of speculation.

 However, there has been no official confirmation linking him to the shooting.

Investigators continue to search for the shooter in the December 13 attack that left two people dead and nine injured.

Mustapha Kharbouch and the profile removal

In the days following the shooting at Brown University, users on social media noticed that the university had removed the profile of Kharbouch from its website. 

On the now inaccessible page, Kharbouch had been identified as a first‑year student majoring in International Affairs and Anthropology with a focus on the Middle East.

When attempting to open the link to the profile, visitors were met with a “Page Not Found” message, which prompted people online to speculate whether this removal was connected to the shooting.

Despite the fervent sharing and commentary online, Brown University did not disclose a reason for the removal of Kharbouch’s profile.

In response to the speculation, the university issued a statement emphasizing the potentially harmful impact of online accusations and conspiracy theories aimed at individuals.

The university warned that such actions can do “irrevocable harm” and called the spread of unverified accusations “irresponsible, harmful, and in some cases dangerous” for community safety.

Suspect linked to Brown University incident remains at large

The removal of Kharbouch’s profile came as the FBI released fresh photos and videos of a possible person of interest in the Brown University shooting. 

These images and clips were shared by the agency on Monday as part of the effort to locate the suspect responsible for the mass shooting on December 13.

A reward of $50,000 was announced for information that could lead to the capture and conviction of the individual seen in the released media. It also released a description, saying the person is “approximately 5’8” with a stocky build.”

Earlier in the investigation, a 24-year-old individual had been taken into custody as a person of interest, but was later released after authorities determined that the evidence did not support further action.

The release and subsequent lack of clear suspects have intensified the manhunt, which continues at large.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee on December 16, called for a comprehensive review of school safety protocols across the state.

McKee expressed his concern for families, stating, “As a parent who has sent my children off to college – I can only imagine how families are feeling right now. And I will assure you: The safety and well‑being of your children and all Rhode Islanders are my priority.”

He instructed the state’s leading education officials to “work with both K-12 and higher education to conduct a full review of their school safety and security plans.”