Authorities say a person of interest is now in custody following a deadly shooting on the campus of Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured, bringing a tense overnight manhunt to a halt.
According to ABC affiliate WCVB, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed Sunday morning that investigators had detained a person of interest following coordinated efforts by Providence police, Rhode Island State Police, and the FBI.
“This is exactly the kind of collaboration that we trained for,” Smiley said, adding that the development allows the campus and surrounding community to begin moving forward after a traumatic day.
The shooting unfolded Saturday afternoon, December 13, on Brown University’s East Side campus during a final exam review session.
Per ABC News, officials said gunfire erupted inside the Barus & Holley building on Hope Street, which houses engineering and physics classrooms. Students across the College Hill area were either preparing for or actively taking exams ahead of winter break when the violence occurred.
Emergency responders transported nine people to local hospitals following the shooting. As of Sunday morning, December 14, officials reported that seven victims were listed in stable condition, one remained in critical but stable condition, and one had been discharged. Two students died from their injuries.
Brown University President Christina H. Paxson described the incident as a moment of profound grief for the campus community. “Our hearts go out to them. This is a day of tremendous sorrow,” Paxson said in a statement issued early Sunday, December 14. “No parent or family member should ever have to endure a day like this.”
Law enforcement sources said the person of interest was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, following a tip. The individual is not believed to be a Brown University student, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Officials have not released the person’s name or disclosed whether charges have been filed.
Earlier, police had issued a shelter-in-place order covering much of the College Hill campus as investigators searched for the suspect. That order was lifted as of this writing, with the university alerting students that while the immediate threat had passed, police activity would continue in areas still considered active crime scenes.
During the investigation, authorities released surveillance footage showing a person of interest walking near campus streets in dark clothing, with one hand appearing to be inside a jacket pocket.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said the state will continue supporting the city and Brown University as the investigation moves forward. “My thoughts are centered on those who lost their lives and the families who are grieving,” McKee said. “We will continue to stand with the Brown community as time goes on.”
The investigation remains active.