PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The search for the gunman responsible for a shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured entered its fourth day on Tuesday. Law enforcement officials released a new video timeline of the suspect's movements but acknowledged they are still working to identify the individual behind Saturday's attack.
The campus and the wider Providence community remain on high alert as investigators canvass neighborhoods and appeal to the public for assistance. Meanwhile, students and faculty are grappling with the tragedy, holding vigils and creating memorials for the victims.
Key Takeaways
- Authorities released new surveillance footage of the suspect in the Brown University shooting.
- The attack on Saturday, December 13, 2025, resulted in two student fatalities and nine injuries.
- A manhunt is ongoing, with police receiving approximately 200 tips from the public.
- The university's security protocols, including its camera and siren systems, are facing scrutiny.
- The community is in mourning, with memorials and services being held for the victims.
Intensifying Search for an Unidentified Suspect
Investigators are piecing together evidence in an effort to identify the shooter. On Tuesday, the FBI released a compilation of surveillance videos showing a person of interest walking near the campus on Saturday afternoon. The footage, captured over the course of an hour, shows an individual in dark clothing moving along sidewalks within blocks of the Engineering Research Center, where the shooting occurred.
The suspect’s face is obscured in all available clips, making identification difficult. Authorities have provided only a general description of the man as having a stocky build and standing approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall. In one segment of the video, the person is seen turning and running away as another individual approaches.
Investigation by the Numbers
- 2 students killed in the attack.
- 9 students wounded.
- 200 tips received by police from the public.
- 1,200 cameras are installed across the Brown University campus.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez made a direct appeal to the public for help during a press conference. He urged residents and business owners in the area to review their security camera footage for any signs of the suspect.
“We’re looking for a moment that is shorter than someone taking a breath,” Perez said, emphasizing that even a fleeting glimpse could be critical to the investigation.
Despite the volume of tips, the lack of clear video evidence remains a significant hurdle. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha asked for patience, stating the investigation is proceeding “really well,” but cautioned against speculation about the shooter's motive.
Campus Security Measures Questioned
The attack has prompted a review of security protocols at the Ivy League institution. While Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed the campus is equipped with 1,200 cameras, law enforcement sources have indicated that none provided a clear image of the shooter inside the engineering building.
President Paxson also addressed questions about the campus alert system. The university utilized a text, call, and email system that reached 20,000 people during the emergency. However, a separate system of three audible sirens was not activated.
How Campus Alert Systems Work
Universities often use a multi-layered approach to emergency notifications. A mass notification system sends digital alerts (texts, emails) directly to individuals. A public address system, like sirens, is designed for broad, outdoor warnings. The decision on which system to use often depends on the specific nature and location of the threat to avoid causing panic or directing people toward danger.
Paxson defended the decision, explaining that activating the sirens could have caused people to seek shelter inside buildings, potentially including the one where the active shooter was located. “So that is not a system we would ever use in the case of an active shooter,” she stated, clarifying that its use “depends on the circumstances.”
Some students have voiced their own concerns. Zoe Kass, a senior who was in the engineering building during the attack, suggested that physical security measures alone are insufficient. “The issue isn’t the doors, it’s the guns,” she said, noting that locked doors in schools have only created “the illusion of safety.”
A Community United in Grief
As the manhunt continues, the Brown University community has come together to mourn. A makeshift memorial of flowers, photos, and condolence cards has grown outside the Engineering Research Center. Students and visitors have been seen kneeling in quiet reflection at the site.
On Tuesday evening, St. Stephen’s Church hosted a somber service for the victims, drawing a crowd of about 200 people. Brown alumnus Chris Kremer, who lives near the campus, attended the service seeking solace and community.
“It’s always nice to be in a big exalted space when you’re thinking kind of big heavy thoughts,” Kremer said. “I guess people for thousands of years have found that to be something of a salve, so I’m hoping that a little bit of that works for me tonight.”
The university has canceled all remaining classes, exams, and papers for the Fall 2025 semester. In response to the ongoing threat, Providence public schools have canceled all after-school activities for the week, and state troopers have been assigned to increase security at city schools.
Remembering the Victims
Details are emerging about the students whose lives were cut short. The two killed were identified as Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman from Brandermill, Virginia.
Cook was the vice president of the Brown College Republicans and was described as a beloved member of her church community back home. Umurzokov, whose family immigrated from Uzbekistan, was majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience.
Of the nine students wounded, two had been released from the hospital as of Tuesday. According to Mayor Brett Smiley, one student remains in critical condition, five are in critical but stable condition, and one is in stable condition.
Freshman Spencer Yang, 18, told reporters he was shot in the leg after scrambling for cover between seats in the classroom. Another freshman, 18-year-old Jacob Spears, was shot in the stomach but managed to run outside for help, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family.
The city remains on edge, but residents are showing resilience. “Of course it feels scary,” said Tatjana Stojanovic, a local parent. “But at the same time, I think that if the person really wanted to scare us, we shouldn’t allow him or her to win.”