A person of interest in the deadly Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine injured has been apprehended at a Rhode Island hotel, bringing a tense manhunt to a close. The individual was taken into custody during an early morning police operation at the Hampton Inn in Coventry, just outside Providence. Authorities have confirmed the arrest is directly connected to Saturday’s campus violence.
The shocking incident unfolded during a final exam review session for a Principles of Economics class, shattering the quiet of the Ivy League campus. As a shelter-in-place order locked down the university overnight, a multi-agency law enforcement effort tracked the suspect to a roadside hotel, where they were captured without incident Sunday morning.
What Happened at Brown University
The tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon at Brown University’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island. According to university president Christina Paxson, a gunman opened fire inside an academic building where students were gathered for an end-of-semester review.
The victims were all students. The attack resulted in two fatalities and left nine others wounded with gunshot injuries. The latest reports on the wounded indicate a range of conditions:
- One student has been treated and released from the hospital.
- Seven students are currently listed in stable condition.
- One student remains in critical but stable condition.
In response to the crisis, the university swiftly canceled all remaining final exams, projects, and classes for the fall semester. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the entire campus, which remained active until the person of interest was captured the following morning.
The Investigation and Hotel Apprehension
With the shooter initially at large, a massive investigation involving Providence Police, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals immediately began. Overnight, authorities identified a person of interest and located them at the Hampton Inn on Centre of New England Boulevard in Coventry.
A CNN crew on the scene witnessed the dramatic culmination of the search. Just before 4 a.m., approximately twenty officers from multiple agencies converged on the hotel. They were seen entering the building and approaching a specific room.
“We have a warrant. Open up,” law enforcement officials were heard announcing outside the hotel room door before gaining entry and taking the individual into custody.
The operation was captured by news cameras, showing a heavy police presence in the hotel hallway and parking lot. A guest staying on the same floor described the moment as frightening, while another, Mark LaFountaine, told CNN he saw the large police gathering in the lobby but didn’t realize its significance until later.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez later confirmed that a person of interest was in custody. The individual is described as being in their 30s. Chief Perez stated that while evidence collection is ongoing, police are not currently searching for any other suspects in connection with the shooting.
Community and Leadership Reaction
The arrest brought a measure of relief to a shaken community. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed the city Sunday morning, stating residents could now “breathe a little easier.” He emphasized that Providence is a college town, and the violence has impacted every resident.
“I live right on the edge of campus. My neighbors walk their dog through campus… it’s a really scary and shocking and sad event, not just for Brown, but for all of Providence,” Mayor Smiley said.
He added that the city had trained for such an event but that the reality was profoundly different. His office plans to reach out to the families of the deceased and visit the injured students in the hospital.
The trauma reverberated powerfully within the student body. For sophomore Zoe Weissman, the shooting brought back horrific memories. Weissman is a survivor of the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
“It feels like I’m 12 again. It feels like it’s 2018 again,” Weissman told CNN, expressing anger at enduring a second school shooting in her young life. She criticized “congressional inaction” on gun violence and found herself giving advice to classmates on how to cope with the trauma.
Aftermath and Ongoing Support
With the immediate threat over, Brown University’s focus has turned to care and recovery. The shelter-in-place order has been fully lifted, though certain areas near the crime scene remain restricted.
The university’s main dining hall has reopened to support students who remain on campus. For many, the academic year has come to an abrupt and tragic end, with all remaining academic work canceled to allow space for grieving and healing.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting. While the person of interest is in custody, the Providence Police Department stresses that its investigation is active and ongoing as it works to piece together the events that led to this tragedy.
The Brown University community, the city of Providence, and the nation are now left to mourn the lives lost and support the injured in the wake of another campus shooting.
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