Suspect held after Brown University shooting to be released. Investigators talk of 'another lead'

The man arrested in connection with Sunday's shooting at Brown University, which left two students dead and nine injured, will be released after investigators determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him. Authorities now say the investigation indicates “another track”.

Armed attack at Brown University PHOTO: Profimedia

Officials in Providence announced that the person detained will not be charged, as the evidence gathered so far does not support the charges. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said that “There is not enough evidence” for indictments, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated that the information gathered “it now points to another track.”

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are looking for additional video footage that could help identify and catch the suspect, the city's mayor said. The attack took place on Saturday, when an individual opened fire on the campus of the Ivy League university in Providence, Rhode Island. Two people were killed and nine others were injured.

In a joint press conference held on Sunday, Oscar Perez explained that investigators do not believe that the person detained is the same as the individual captured in the images from the surveillance cameras (CCTV), made public on the day of the attack. The BBC has decided not to publish the name of the released person. In the video footage, the suspect can be seen walking away from the scene, dressed entirely in black.

Initial detention following a police 'lead'

After the images were released, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that a “person of interest” was apprehended at a Coventry, Rhode Island hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning on a lead provided by Providence Police. At the time, Oscar Perez confirmed that officers were not looking for another person and were working with prosecutors to gather evidence.

Earlier on Sunday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven of the injured were in stable condition, one was in critical condition and another person had been discharged.

The attack took place in a classroom

According to authorities, the gunman opened fire in a classroom around 4:00 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) in the Holley Engineering Building, located on the east side of Brown University's campus. The identities of the two students killed and most of the injured have not been released. Brown University President Christina Paxson said Saturday that all of the victims, both dead and injured, were students.

In an email sent to staff on Sunday, the principal of Durham Academy, a private school in North Carolina, said one of the institution's graduates, Kendall Turner, was injured in the attack, according to US media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family and all members of the Brown University community during this incredibly difficult time”, said Michael Ulku-Steiner.

Campus partially closed, thousands of students relocated

In a statement released Sunday, Prof. Christina Paxson announced that access is restricted to some areas of the campus while police continue their investigation. About 2,000 students were moved to safe places during the night. She said it was “deeply impressed” by students and locals who welcomed the affected into their homes.

Paxson also stated that the families of the two slain students are receiving support. “There are not enough words of comfort for the families who are losing a child, but we will do what we can“, she added.

Mayor Brett Smiley announced that the stay-at-home order was lifted Sunday. The mayor said that he met the victims and their families in the hospital and that he was “overwhelmed” by “courage, hope and gratitudetheir “.

Reactions at the national level

Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said he hoped the nine injured students “get well soon” and sent condolences to the families of the two deceased people. The attack at Brown University brings to 389 the number of mass gun attacks in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines such incidents as attacks in which four or more people are killed or injured, not including the attacker.