‘Fresh anxiety’: Brown shooting suspect sought, police asking for area footage

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence police and federal law enforcement are continuing their search for the suspect in a deadly Brown University shooting that left two people dead and nine wounded.

A person of interest in the shooting was detained and questioned by police and released Monday morning at 12:30 a.m., according to the Providence Police Department.

The person of interest was detained just before 4 a.m. Sunday at the Coventry-Warwick Hampton Inn.

The subject drew law enforcement’s attention after an anonymous tip was received by a Providence police tip line, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

One of the two victims who were fatally wounded in the shooting has been identified.

According to ABC News, Brown University students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov have been identified as the two victims who were tragically killed in the incident.

Eight other victims remain hospitalized at this time.

Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley said that city law enforcement visibility will be increased as the investigation continues.

“We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community. And we want to reiterate what we said earlier, which remains true, which is ever since the initial call now a day and a half ago, we have not received any credible or specific threats to the Providence community,” said Mayor Smiley.

“And so 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 and on the Brown campus.”

Providence Police Department Chief Colonel Oscar Perez also addressed the incident and the decision to release the person of interest.

“So it was a there was a tip that came in, just like we were taking any other tips, and that one came in specifically identified a person of interest, which was this individual,” said Perez.

“And at that point, we did a thorough investigation, examined, ended up drafting some search warrants, came up with some evidence, but those evidence was examined, and we didn’t have enough obviously, to be able to prosecute anybody, and so the person was released.”

Police said that an individual seen on Waterman Street in surveillance video is still considered a person of interest.

Mayor Smiley is asking area residents and business owners to reach out to police with any footage that might have captured the subject in the Waterman Street video.

“If you have a camera and you are nearby, the video that was released was the corner of Hope and Waterman Streets, and if you are in that area and you have video, you have home video, Ring camera, security camera, you’re a small business owner, please reach out to us,” said Smiley.

Anyone with possible footage is asked to call 401-272-3121, or to upload any video to this FBI website.

The shooting occurred at the Barus and Holley Engineering Building shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday.

Final exams were to be held in the building from 2-5 p.m.

A shelter in place notification was sent to the Brown University community at 4:22 p.m.