FBI detains person of interest after Brown University campus shooting in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: FBI Director Kash Patel said on Sunday, December 14, that federal and local authorities have detained a person of interest following a deadly shooting at Brown University, outlining an extensive multi agency response that he said will continue around the clock until justice is served.
In a post on X, Patel said that the FBI’s Boston field office established a command post to intake, develop, and analyze investigative leads after the campus shooting in Providence, Rhode Island. He said specialized federal teams were activated to accelerate the investigation.
An update on the @FBI response at Brown University:@FBIBoston established a command post to intake, develop and analyze leads, and run them to ground.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 14, 2025
We activated the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, to provide critical geolocation capabilities.
As a result, early… pic.twitter.com/KONDEbrduR
FBI details command post and technical response
Patel said that the FBI had deployed its Cellular Analysis Survey Team to provide geolocation capabilities as investigators worked to reconstruct the shooting and track leads.
"As a result, early this morning, FBI Boston’s Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the US Marshals and the Coventry Police Department, detained a person of interest in a hotel room in Coventry, Rhode Island," Patel wrote.
He added that both local and national FBI resources were sent to the scene, including headquarters and laboratory personnel.
Person of interest detained as probe accelerates
Authorities later confirmed that the person of interest is a man in his 20s. Police declined to release identifying details, citing the integrity of the investigation.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said that detectives were collecting evidence and reviewing items already seized, adding that the investigators had worked through the night and that the case was progressing rapidly.
Officials said that no confirmation had been made regarding the suspect’s identity, and warned against speculation as prosecutors evaluated potential charges.
Shooting left two dead and nine injured
The shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon inside Brown University’s Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, prompting a campus lockdown and an overnight manhunt.
Providence Mayor Smiley told reporters that he visited the survivors of the Brown University shooting and that they are receiving "excellent care."
— ABC News (@ABC) December 14, 2025
"We're all saddened and scared and tired, but what they've been through is something entirely different."… pic.twitter.com/qKjuETEpRz
Two people were killed and nine others injured. Victims were transported to area hospitals, where Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said they are receiving "excellent medical care."
Families of all victims have not yet been notified, officials said, citing holiday travel and the need to make direct contact before releasing identities.
FBI opens public media intake portal
Patel said that the FBI had established a digital media intake portal to collect images and video from members of the public who were in the area at the time of the shooting.
He said that victim specialists were working alongside investigative teams to support survivors and families affected by what he described as "horrific violence."
"This FBI will continue an all out 24/7 campaign until justice is fully served," Patel wrote.
City and state officials urge unity
Rhode Island Gov Daniel McKee urged residents to support one another as the investigation continued, saying that the tragedy had deeply affected the state.
"Let’s do what Rhode Islanders do best," McKee said. "Let’s stand by and support our neighbors when they most need it."
Mayor Smiley said that a community vigil would be held at Lippitt Memorial Park, where residents were already scheduled to gather to light a Christmas tree and a menorah for the first night of Hanukkah.
University community shaken by attack
Brown University President Christina Paxson described the past day as "unimaginable" in a message to alumni, saying that the school was working with law enforcement while offering support to displaced students and affected families.
Students who were inside the building at the time of the shooting described hearing chaos and fleeing as the police arrived. Some remained sheltered overnight as authorities searched for the suspect.
Investigation remains ongoing
Officials stressed that no further details would be released until charges were finalized and families notified. Law enforcement agencies said that coordination between federal, state, and local partners remained active.
Patel thanked FBI personnel and partner agencies for their work, while urging the public to keep victims, families, and the Brown University community in their prayers.
