PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The ongoing effort to find a man who walked onto Brown University's campus during a busy exam season and shot nearly a dozen students in a crowded lecture hall has raised questions about the school's security systems and the urgency of the investigation itself.
A day after Saturday’s mass shooting, officials stated that a person of interest in custody would be released without charges, leaving investigators with limited actionable insight from the recovered security footage. This has left law enforcement scrambling to develop new leads.
As the investigation continues, officials were observed conducting basic investigative work two days post-shooting that killed two students and wounded nine, canvassing local residences and businesses for security camera footage while seeking physical evidence. This has left students and some Providence residents frustrated at gaps in the university’s security and camera systems that allowed the shooter to flee the scene.
“It’s just so deeply frustrating,” said Li Ding, a student at a nearby institution who dances on a Brown University team. “The fact that we’re in such a surveillance state but that wasn’t used correctly at all is just unsettling.”
A Petition for Increased Security
Ding is among the hundreds of students who have signed a petition advocating for enhanced security across campus buildings, expressing that officials need to take stronger measures to guard against threats such as active shooters.
“Students are doing a more effective job at looking out for one another than the police,” she added.
Providence's Chief Public Information Officer, Kristy dosReis, affirmed that at no point did the investigation stall, even after officials initially detained a suspect who they later deemed uninvolved.
“The investigation was ongoing even as the scenes were still active,” said dosReis.
On Monday, police and the FBI released new video footage of a man they believe carried out the attack, with the assailant seen wearing a mask before and after the incident.
‘Painstaking Work’ for Investigators
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge, Ted Docks, noted that a reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification and capture of the shooter. He described the investigative process—including documenting bullet trajectories at the shooting scene—as “painstaking work.”
“We ask the public for patience as we continue our investigation to provide victims, survivors, their families, and the community with the answers they deserve,” Docks stated.
Gaps in Campus Security Footage
Despite Brown’s campus being equipped with surveillance cameras, many were absent in the Barus and Holley building, which was targeted during the shooting incident.
“It’s an older building, connected to a newer one,” noted Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, regarding the lack of CCTV coverage.
The absence of reliable campus footage has prompted law enforcement to solicit public tips for assistance.
Some local residents, like Katherine Baima, reported that U.S. marshals sought security footage from their residences on the following Monday—marking the first time many in her building had been contacted by anyone regarding the event.
While students reported being kept informed through the university's emergency alert system, they remained unsure of what actions to take during a prolonged lockdown. Chiung-Heng Chien, a doctoral student, shared his experience of hiding under desks as he and his peers debated whether it was safe to open their door amid chaotic scenes outside.
Colleges at a Security Disadvantage
Law enforcement experts indicate that colleges may find themselves at a disadvantage when handling threats like active shooters. Campus security officers often receive less training and funding compared to other law enforcement agencies, and they may not develop strong partnerships with better-resourced entities.
“Funding for campus police departments rarely ranks as a priority, even in schools with substantial resources,” remarked Terrance Gainer, a former Illinois law enforcement official.
Changes in Providence’s Alert System
The city of Providence has an emergency alert system that transitioned from a mobile app to a web-based model earlier in the year. This new system requires residents to register online to receive alerts, a fact some were unaware of.
Emely Vallee, a resident living near Brown, expressed frustration at not receiving any alerts, relying instead on communications from friends and news reports.
Hailey Souza, a local business manager, recounted her experience of witnessing the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, having no prior alert about the unfolding incident. She noted that she later learned of the police informing her co-workers about the shooter’s presence, stressing a need for more effective communication during crises.
