The investigation into the shooting incident at Brown University in the United States has entered its fifth day, but authorities have yet to identify the suspect, determine their whereabouts, or uncover a motive for the crime.
According to AFP and other sources on December 17 (local time), local police confirmed during a media briefing that they had identified a witness who was in close proximity to the suspect. Police made this determination after analyzing footage they had obtained.
The Providence Police Department in Rhode Island posted a photo on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showing a person wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and a dark-colored coat. The department appealed for the public’s help in identifying the individual in the photo and in speaking with them. Police Chief Oscar Perez stated, “This person was in close enough proximity to the perpetrator,” and added, “It is possible that they may have information helpful to the investigation.”
Chief Perez also released a still image captured from video footage showing a masked man walking around the city, explaining, “This man is believed to be the suspect.” He stated that authorities had found “actual physical evidence,” including DNA information, related to the case, and that the investigation is ongoing based on the evidence and leads collected so far.
The shooting occurred on December 13 in a classroom at Brown University, an Ivy League institution, while final exams were being held. The incident resulted in the deaths of two students: Ella Cook, vice president of the Republican student organization at Brown, and Muhammad Aziz Amurzokov, a student from Uzbekistan aspiring to become a neurosurgeon. Of the victims who were hospitalized with injuries, one remains in serious but stable condition. The other five are also in stable condition, and two additional victims have been discharged.
Meanwhile, there has been considerable criticism regarding the inadequacy of Brown University’s security system. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the university administration on Truth Social, saying, “Why were there so few security cameras at Brown University? There is no excuse.” Although 1,200 security cameras are installed on campus, this number is insufficient to cover all 250 campus buildings. The university administration also explained that there were almost no cameras on the first floor or in the vicinity of the building where the incident occurred.
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