Police detain person of interest in Brown University shooting

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: A ''person of interest'' has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others wounded, authorities said on early Sunday, December 14, as investigators continued to piece together what sparked the violence on the Ivy League campus.

Providence Police confirmed the overnight detention following a tip to law enforcement. Officials stressed that the individual is being described only as a person of interest and has not been publicly identified. 

Sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News that the person in custody is not a Brown student, though police declined to discuss where the detention took place or whether the individual has any affiliation with the university.

Federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are assisting in the investigation. A federal source said authorities are confident they are on the right track, but cautioned that the inquiry remains active.

President Christina Paxson mourns victims

The shooting erupted on Saturday afternoon at Brown’s Barus & Holley building on Hope Street, which houses engineering and physics classrooms, as students across the College Hill area were preparing for or taking final exams ahead of winter break.

University President Christina H Paxson said all of the victims, both those killed and those injured, were students.

“This is a day of tremendous sorrow,” Paxson said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to them. No parent or family member should ever have to endure a day like this,” she said.

Nine injured students were taken to local hospitals. As of Sunday, one person had been discharged, seven remained hospitalized in stable condition, and one was listed as critical but stable, officials said.

Surveillance video shows the alleged suspect walking away

Police previously released surveillance footage showing a person dressed in dark clothing, including what appeared to be a hood, calmly walking away from the area shortly after the shooting. 

The individual’s face is not visible in the video. At one point, the person’s right hand appears to be inside a jacket pocket as they walk along Waterman Street before exiting the frame.

Investigators have not said whether the person of interest is the individual seen in the video, nor have they detailed a possible motive.

Providence Police Chief Col Oscar Perez said public information would be limited at this stage of the investigation, including whether or how the person of interest may be connected to Brown.

Campus shelter-in-place lifted as police continue investigation 

A shelter-in-place order that had been issued for Brown’s College Hill campus and surrounding areas was lifted early Sunday.

However, the university warned that police activity was continuing in zones still considered active crime scenes and that access remained restricted in some areas.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said that the city would maintain an enhanced police presence in the coming days to reassure residents and students.

“This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence and Brown for all of us,” Smiley said, while praising coordination between city police, state authorities and federal agents.

Officials said they are still working to determine how the shooter entered the building. While exterior doors were unlocked, classrooms being used for exams typically require badge access.

“In a building like that on a weekend, there are a lot of things going on,” Brown Provost Francis Doyle said, citing study sessions, student meetings and research activity.

“We don’t have detailed knowledge yet of exactly what was happening, but we’re working closely with law enforcement.” Authorities said further updates will be released as the investigation progresses.