On Sunday, authorities announced the release of a 24‑year‑old man who had been detained earlier that day in connection with the Brown University shooting that killed two students and wounded nine others.
Background of the Shooting
The mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday resulted in two student fatalities and injuries to nine other individuals.
Detainment and Release
“Shortly, we will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced. The 24‑year‑old was detained Sunday morning, and by Sunday night authorities said there was no longer a basis to hold him in connection with the shooting.
Agency Involvement
The FBI Boston’s Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from U.S. Marshals and Coventry police, took the suspect into custody early Sunday morning at a hotel room in Coventry, Rhode Island, based on a lead from Providence police. The FBI’s X post noted a command post was established to intake, develop and analyze leads, and the Cellular Analysis Survey Team was activated for geolocation.
Statements from Officials
“There is no basis to consider him a person of interest so he’s being released,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said on Sunday. He added, “I think what’s really unfortunate is this person’s name was leaked to the public. It’s hard to put that back.”
Col. Oscar Perez, chief of police, said the person was a man in his 20s, not in his 30s as previously reported. He added, “The investigation continues to progress extremely fast,” and that charges could be filed within the next few hours.
Legal Process
“We’re going to work with the attorney general’s office to make sure that we have the right legal requirements for the charges,” Perez said. He noted that police cannot hold the suspect beyond Monday if charges are not filed and that an arraignment is hoped for sooner rather than later.
Social Media and Public Info
The FBI’s X post read, “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. We activated the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, to provide critical geolocation capabilities. As a result, early… pic.twitter.com/KONDEbrduR”.
WJAR reported the location as a Hampton Inn on Centre of New England Boulevard, where caution tape blocked the hallway and agents from the FBI, ATF and Coventry police were present. Abbey Buttacavoli tweeted, “I was allowed inside briefly to this Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry where law enforcement detained the person of interest in the Brown University shooting. I saw caution tape blocking the hallway on the first floor and officers going into a room. ATF, FBI, and Coventry PD here.”
Law enforcement officials told NBC News that the man had a unique characteristic on his firearm, which was found when he was taken into custody.
Key Takeaways
- The 24‑year‑old suspect was released after authorities found no basis to hold him.
- The FBI, AG’s office, and local police coordinated the detainment and legal review.
- Charges could be filed within hours, with an arraignment expected soon.
The release underscores the evolving nature of investigations following the tragic shooting at Brown University.
