Person of interest detained after Brown University shooting that killed 2, officials say
A person of interest was detained overnight in connection with the deadly shooting at Brown University, officials said Sunday.
Two people were killed and nine others were wounded in the shooting Saturday afternoon in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters on Sunday that seven of those hospitalized remain in stable condition and one is in critical condition. One person with less severe injuries was discharged. In the afternoon, he said the conditions had not changed, but he confirmed that he had spoken to four of the victims.
"This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence and Brown — for all of us," he said.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that a command center had been set up, as well as "digital media intake portal to ingest images and video from the public related to this incident."
University President Christina Paxson told reporters on Saturday that all the victims, those killed and wounded, were students. Smiley said Sunday afternoon that not all the victims' families had been notified yet.
"Everybody's reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us," Paxson said at the news conference Sunday. "Our community's strong and we'll get through it, but it's devastating."
Surveillance video released by police showed the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. His face is not visible in the video and investigators said it wasn't clear whether the suspect is a student.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez, on Sunday afternoon, would not confirm if the person on the surveillance video is the person who has been detained. Perez said the investigation is progressing "extremely fast."
Perez also confirmed that they would not be releasing the name of the person of interest yet and would not say how the person was affiliated with the university.
Perez said earlier that public details about the person of interest would be limited, but he did say the detained suspect was in their 20s.
The person was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that the person of interest is not currently enrolled as a student at Brown University. Sources said the person of interest is 24 years old.
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News that the person of interest had two guns in his possession when he was taken into custody.
A shelter-in-place for Brown University and the surrounding areas that was in place on Saturday has been lifted.
"However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene," the university said. "Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues to be limited."
Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Smiley said on Saturday.
On Sunday, university officials said remaining classes and exams for the semester have been cancelled and students are free to leave campus. Those who remain on campus will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement.
"At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now," Doyle wrote.
Smiley said Sunday that there will be an enhanced police presence around the city to comfort the community, but not because the area is part of the investigation.
President Trump, at an event at the White House on Sunday, offered his condolences and respects to the victims.
"To the nine injured, get well fast and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respect from the United States of America," he said.