Person of interest in Brown University shooting released as manhunt for gunman resumes
A person of interest who was detained in connection with Saturday’s Brown University mass shooting has been released without charges after law enforcement authorities determined there was no basis to keep the individual in custody.
“Shortly, we will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced at a late night news conference on Sunday.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said there was some degree of evidence that justified detaining the individual that was taken into custody, but now that evidence points in a different direction.
“We have not yet solved this case,” Neronha said, “but I’m confident we’re going to do that, and I am confident we’re going to do that in the very near future.”
Noronha expressed regret that the person’s name had been leaked and said the investigation would proceed more carefully.
“I think what’s really unfortunate is this person’s name was leaked to the public. It’s hard to put that back,” he added.
The 24-year-old was detained Sunday morning at a Rhode Island hotel, three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News. By Sunday night, however, authorities said there was no longer a basis to hold him in connection with the shooting, which killed two students and wounded nine others at the Ivy League school.
Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the news of the person’s release may cause residents of Providence some anxiety, but said a new shelter-in-place was not being recommended.
“The status of safety in our community remains unchanged, and we believe that you remain safe in our community, though we will continue to have an enhanced police presence throughout the city,” he said.
The disclosure represents a dramatic setback in the investigation and unravels progress that authorities thought they had made earlier in the day.
The tip that led to the person being detained was fielded by the FBI, said Providence’s police chief, Col. Oscar Perez. Earlier Sunday, Perez and Smiley declined to answer any questions about the identity of the person of who had been detained.
“In the years that I have in this police department, we stand on grounded facts, not a speculation,” Perez said, adding that officials hope to update the public once they have “the appropriate and accurate information.”
“My goal is that we’re able to have that information as soon as possible,” Smiley told reporters. “But again, I tell you that respectfully, I have the responsibility to respect the integrity of this investigation.”
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 at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island.
WJAR reported seeing caution tape blocking the hallway and agents from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Coventry police there.
The release of the lone person of interest leaves law enforcement without any known suspect, with officials pledging to redouble efforts in the investigation by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killer’s identity.
“We have a murderer out there,” said Neronha.
Gov. Dan McKee said he spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel and he said the agency is committed to continue to provide resources.
