‘Person of interest’ detained over Brown University shooting, official says

A person of interest has been arrested in connection with a shooting at Brown University in the United States that left two people dead, police said.

Nine other people were injured after a gunman opened fire Saturday at the University of Providence, Rhode Island.

Police said the arrested suspect was in his 20s, but did not give his name.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven people injured in the incident remained in stable condition, one was in critical but stable condition and another had been released.

The gunman opened fire in a classroom around 4 p.m. local time (9 p.m. GMT) Saturday in the Holley engineering building on the east end of Brown’s campus, officials said.

The identities of those killed or injured have not yet been released, but Brown University President Christina Paxson told reporters Saturday that all of the victims, including those killed and injured, were students.

In a statement released by the university on Sunday, Paxson said certain areas of campus were still restricted as police continued their investigations.

About 2,000 students were moved to safe locations overnight, she said, adding that she was “deeply moved” by the students and residents who opened their homes.

Paxson said the families of the two slain students were receiving support.

“There are not enough words of comfort for families who lose a child, but we will do everything we can,” she added.

At a news conference Sunday, Smiley said a previous order to shelter residents has now been lifted.

The mayor said he met the victims and their families at the hospital and was “overwhelmed” by their “courage, hope and gratitude.”

A vigil will be held Sunday evening for the community.

Police had earlier released CCTV footage showing a suspect walking away from the scene, dressed in all black clothing. Police said no firearms were found during a search of the building.

In an article on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect was arrested at a hotel in Coventry, Kent County, early Sunday morning, based on a lead from Providence police.

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed Sunday that officers were not looking for anyone else and were working with prosecutors to gather evidence.

Hundreds of police and federal agents were sent to Providence on Saturday to find the suspect.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, President Donald Trump said the shooting was a “terrible thing.”

The attack on the Ivy League university brings the number of mass shootings in the United States to 389 this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

It defines mass shootings as having four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.