A person of interest was taken into custody overnight in relation to the tragic shooting at Brown University, officials confirmed on Sunday. The shooting, which occurred on Saturday afternoon within the engineering building of the prestigious Ivy League institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injured nine others during final exams.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the media on Sunday, providing updates on the victims' conditions. He reported that seven of the hospitalized individuals remain in stable condition, while one person is currently in critical condition. Additionally, one person with less severe injuries has been discharged from the hospital. "This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence and Brown — for all of us," Smiley stated.
University President Christina Paxson also spoke to reporters on Saturday, revealing that all the victims, both those who lost their lives and those who were injured, were students. "Everybody's reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us," Paxson remarked during a news conference on Sunday. "Our community's strong and we'll get through it, but it's devastating."
Surveillance footage released by police showed the suspect, dressed in black, calmly leaving the scene. Authorities noted that the suspect's face was not visible in the footage, and it remains unclear whether he is a student at Brown University. On Sunday morning, officials did not disclose the identity of the suspect.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez stated that public information regarding the person of interest would be limited. However, he did confirm that the detained individual is in their 30s, but refrained from commenting on any possible ties to the university. A law enforcement source disclosed to CBS News that the person of interest is not currently enrolled as a student at Brown University. This individual was arrested overnight at a local hotel without incident.
A shelter-in-place order that had been issued for Brown University and the surrounding areas has now been lifted, according to the university. Nevertheless, police activity persists in areas still classified as an active crime scene. The university has advised that access to these parts of campus remains limited as the investigation continues.
Investigators are still working to determine how the shooter gained access to the first-floor classroom where the incident took place. Mayor Smiley mentioned that while the outer doors of the building were unlocked, rooms designated for final exams required badge access. Brown Provost Francis Doyle added, "In a building like that on a weekend, there are a lot of things going on — study sessions, student groups meeting, and research labs. So we don't have detailed knowledge of exactly what was happening, but we're collaborating with law enforcement."
In response to the shooting, Mayor Smiley announced plans for an enhanced police presence throughout the city to provide comfort to the community. He emphasized that this increased security is not due to ongoing investigations but rather to ensure community safety.