Smiley talks next steps after release of POI in Brown shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The detainment and release of a person of interest in the deadly Saturday Brown University shooting was top of mind in a ABC News interview with Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.

Smiley told ABC News that a new shelter-in-place order is not necessary.

The mayor was asked if the person released Monday morning has been ruled out completely in the mass shooting that took the lives of two Brown students and hospitalized eight others.

“Were not saying that definitively. What were saying is after a review of the evidence gathered, it was determined the person of interest needed to be released,” said Mayor Smiley.

“But until such time as we have an individual in custody who we are confident is responsible that were prepared to press charges and prosecute, we’re going to continue to leave all doors open until such time that we’re in a place where we feel confident we’ve got the right person.”

Smiley was also asked if authorities believe the incident was the act of a lone shooter.

“Right now we don’t have any evidence to suggest it was more than that individual seen in the video,” said Smiley.

Police and the FBI say they are still considering the individual caught on a surveillance video a person of interest.

Law enforcement is also pledging to double down on efforts to take any suspects into custody.