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Tuesday, December 16
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Brown University Shooting: Person Of Interest Released, Gunman Still At Large

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​Update (1227ET): 

Rhode Island authorities have announced that the person of interest in the Brown University shooting has been released and the gunman is still at large.

 

Update (1715ET):

Both The Washington Post and NBC News cite sources briefed on the investigation who name “Benjamin Erickson” from Wisconsin as a “person of interest” in the Brown University shooting late Saturday night.

It is important to note the distinction between a person of interest and a suspect:

NBC News reporter Tom Winter reported earlier that police seized a firearm from Erickson that had a “unique characteristic.”

What is key here is that Erickson is a person of interest and not a shooting suspect. That is an important distinction to understand.

*  *  *

Update (1520ET):

It has been almost 24 hours since a gunman entered a Brown University classroom taught by Jewish professor Rachel Friedberg, who teaches the intersection of economics and Jewish studies, and reportedly “yelled something unique” before using a handgun and firing shots in the classroom.

A person of interest was taken into custody earlier today, but authorities have not disclosed his name or provided a front-facing photo. Given Brown’s extensive surveillance system with over 800 cameras, the lack of released footage raises concerns, especially since the person of interest reportedly “yelled something unique” before causing harm in a Jewish economics classroom.

New information from CNN, based on multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the case, reveals that the person of interest detained earlier today traveled from Wisconsin.

Here are more details from the media outlet: 

A revolver and a small Glock handgun with a laser sight attached were found in the hotel room of the person detained in connection to the Brown University shooting, according to multiple federal law enforcement sources. The person detained is a male, law enforcement sources say. Authorities traced the person of interest to the hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island. According to the sources, law enforcement banged on the door ordering him to open up. Once inside, they asked where the person had been that day and evening. He responded he was there in the hotel the whole time. 

*  *  *

A person of interest linked to the Brown University shooting was apprehended early Sunday morning at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, according to law enforcement officials.

Latest:

  • Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez told reporters he was restricted in what he could reveal about the person taken into custody. He stated that police plan “to collaborate with the prosecutors, to gather evidence, to conduct interviews, and then we’ll be able – when it’s appropriate and accurate – to share more details.”

  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley provided an update, indicating that seven shooting victims are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has been released from the hospital. Two individuals lost their lives in the shooting. All victims were students.

  • Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that the shooting occurred inside a final exam review for a Principles of Economics class.

  • The shooter then exited the east side of the Barus and Holley building, where the campus meets downtown Providence. 

The shooter “yelled something” before the attack … 

The prestigious Ivy League institution lifted the shelter-in-place order around 6:00 a.m. ET.

X users cited a 2021 study indicating that Brown University operates roughly 800 surveillance cameras across its campus.

However, even after six hours post the incident, the university struggled to release any images depicting the appearance of the person of interest while on the run.

Then, finally, released this… 

Note that Brown’s policy generally prohibits students, faculty, staff, and visitors from bringing guns, ammunition, or other weapons onto campus, into buildings, or into residence halls. This applies regardless of whether someone has a permit to carry a firearm elsewhere in Rhode Island.

Brown University has a relatively high representation of Jewish students compared with its overall student population. The incident occurred on the night before Hanukkah, a period of heightened religious significance. Separately, Australia experienced its deadliest terrorist attack since 1996, when two shooters targeted a Jewish celebration.

*Developing…

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