Providence: Authorities detained a person of interest in connection with a US shooting at Brown University that killed at least two people and injured nine others on Saturday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Sunday. "We are able to report that we have detained a person of interest involved in yesterday's shooting," Smiley told reporters.
According to Anadolu Agency, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez stated that the individual was detained earlier Sunday morning but refused to provide any details about the person to protect the integrity of the investigation. He later clarified in a media conference that the suspect is in his 20s, correcting earlier reports that suggested the person was in their 30s. Perez emphasized that authorities are not looking for anyone else but noted that investigations are ongoing.
Mayor Smiley provided an update on the victims, stating that seven individuals remain in stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged. "We are not releasing any information about the victims at this time," he added.
Smiley also announced the lifting of the shelter-in-place order for Brown University and the surrounding area. University Provost Francis J. Doyle III said in a separate statement that "all remaining undergraduate, graduate and medical classes, exams, and papers or projects for the Fall 2025 semester will not take place as scheduled."
The shooting occurred shortly after 4 pm (2100GMT) Saturday, prompting an immediate response by Brown University police, followed by Providence police, firefighters, and emergency medical teams. Multiple agencies are involved in the response, including state police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Officials said federal and local agencies are coordinating closely as the investigation remains active.
Initially, the university announced on Saturday that a suspect had been taken into custody but later retracted the statement, clarifying that the search for the gunman was ongoing.