Brown University Shooting Suspect Released After Authorities Find No Evidence

In a sudden turn, the person of interest in the Brown University shooting was released after officials concluded no evidence linked him to the incident.

Release Announcement

“Shortly, we will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced. The statement came after the individual, a 24‑year‑old man, was taken into custody Sunday morning.

Attorney General’s Decision

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said there was some degree of evidence that pointed to the individual that was taken into custody, but that evidence now points in a different direction. “There is no basis to consider him a person of interest so he’s being released,” Neronha said on Sunday. He added that the person of interest “needs to be and should be released.”

Concerns About Public Leaks

Neronha also expressed frustration over the public disclosure of the suspect’s name. “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.

Initial Detention and Investigation

The 24‑year‑old man was detained Sunday morning, three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News. By Sunday night, 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.

Age Confirmation

Sunday morning, Col. Oscar Perez, the chief of police in Providence, clarified that the person of interest was a man in his 20s, not in his 30s as police had previously reported. Perez said the “investigation continues to progress extremely fast,” crediting detectives who worked all through the night following the shooting.

Confidence in the Suspect

Perez told NBC News that charges could be filed against the person of interest within the next few hours. He said the investigation remains ongoing but that police are confident that the man in custody is the suspected gunman.

Legal Requirements

“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. “And this is, it’s just complex. There’s a lot of evidence, there’s a lot of witnesses, and so we have to make sure that we have it all tight. And to make sure we have a good case.”

Holding Limitations

Perez said police cannot hold the person of interest beyond Monday if charges are not filed. He added he is hoping an arraignment will take place “sooner rather than later.”

FBI Involvement

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X earlier Sunday that the person of interest was taken into custody early Sunday morning at a hotel room in Coventry, Rhode Island, by the FBI Boston’s Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from U.S. Marshals and Coventry police, based off a lead by Providence police. Patel also noted that the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team was activated to provide critical geolocation capabilities.

Hampton Inn Location

WJAR reported that the location was a Hampton Inn on Centre of New England Boulevard. The report described caution tape blocking the hallway and agents from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Coventry police present.

Key Takeaways

• The person of interest was released after authorities found no evidence linking him to the Brown University shooting.
• The release was announced by Mayor Brett Smiley and confirmed by Attorney General Peter Neronha.
• The FBI and local police detained the suspect at a Coventry hotel early Sunday morning.

The swift release of the suspect underscores the evolving nature of the investigation into the Brown University mass shooting. While authorities continue to pursue leads, the decision to free the individual reflects a reassessment of the evidence and a commitment to due process.