Brown University Shooter Manhunt Resumes. Person of interest released. Authorities offer a $50K reward for new suspect leads and surveillance video after two students were killed.
The intense, multi-agency manhunt for the Brown University shooter has resumed with renewed urgency following the unexpected release of the sole “person of interest” detained over the weekend.
The decision, announced late Sunday night by Providence officials, confirmed that the investigation into the shooting that left two students dead and nine others wounded has taken a sharp “different direction,” leaving authorities without a known suspect.
The search for the gunman responsible for the deadly attack in the Barus and Holley Engineering Building on Saturday, December 13, 2025, is now entering its fourth day, with local, state, and federal law enforcement redoubling their efforts to track down the assailant.
A Setback in the Investigation: Evidence Points Elsewhere
The initial breakthrough in the case occurred Sunday morning when law enforcement—acting on a lead generated by Providence Police and utilizing FBI cellular analysis—detained a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin at a hotel in Coventry, approximately 20 miles from the campus.
The detention led to the lifting of the campus-wide shelter-in-place order, bringing temporary relief to the terrified community.
However, hopes for a swift resolution were dashed in a late-night press conference. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated unequivocally that, upon further investigation, there was “no basis to consider him a person of interest,” and the individual was released without charge.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the emotional impact of the news, stating, “We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community. We have a murderer out there.”
Law enforcement officials explained that while there was initially “some degree of evidence” pointing to the detained man (including the recovery of two handguns and high-capacity magazines at his hotel), subsequent corroboration and forensic tests did not align, forcing investigators to pivot.
New Videos, New Leads, and a $50,000 Reward
In the wake of the setback, authorities have intensified their public appeal for information, offering a significant financial incentive and new visual evidence.
- New Surveillance Footage: Police have released new videos and images of the suspect, who is believed to be the individual seen fleeing the Barus and Holley building shortly after the 4:00 p.m. attack. The new clips, taken hours before the shooting, show the individual—described as a male, approximately 5’8″ with a stocky build, wearing dark clothing and a mask—walking near the campus.
- $50,000 FBI Reward: The FBI has officially announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading directly to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the shooter.
- Door-to-Door Canvassing: Providence Police and the FBI have launched extensive door-to-door efforts in the neighborhoods surrounding the Brown campus, urging residents and local businesses to check security camera footage for any sign of the individual.
Authorities stress that despite the shooter remaining at large, they do not believe there is an ongoing specific threat to the campus, and no new shelter-in-place order has been issued. However, law enforcement presence remains significantly enhanced across the area.
Community Grieves as Search Continues
As the manhunt resumes, the Brown University community continues to mourn the loss of two of its students: Ella Cook, a sophomore and vice president of the College Republicans, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a freshman who dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon. Nine other students remain hospitalized, with several in critical but stable condition.
Brown University has canceled all remaining classes, exams, and projects for the semester, shifting focus entirely to providing counseling and support services to its grieving and anxious community.
Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez emphasized the determination of the task force: “We have a murderer out there, and we’re not going to give away the game plan… We are continuing our search efforts, which includes ongoing coordination with multiple agencies.”
The public is urged to remain vigilant and contact the police tip line immediately with any relevant information regarding the individual shown in the newly released surveillance footage.
