Detained “Person Of Interest” Released As Officials Admit Evidence Points Elsewhere; Killer Still At Large
Monday, December 15, 2025, 10:15 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
PROVIDENCE, RI.- A sweeping reversal in the investigation into Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University has sent shockwaves through Providence and reignited an urgent manhunt, after officials late Sunday night announced that the man initially detained as a “person of interest” has been released and is no longer considered a suspect.
Providence officials confirmed that the 24-year-old Wisconsin man taken into custody early Sunday morning at a Coventry, Rhode Island, hotel was released after investigators determined the evidence now points in a “different direction.” The announcement, made by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, marks a dramatic shift in a case that has left two people dead and nine others injured in one of the most violent attacks in the university’s history.
The shooting occurred Saturday inside Brown University’s Barus and Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the Physics Department.
Sudden reversal raises stakes:
The Wisconsin man was detained at approximately 4:00 a.m. Sunday, following what authorities initially described as a promising investigative lead. By late Sunday night, however, officials acknowledged that the evidence did not support continued detention or prosecution.
Mayor Smiley said investigators reassessed the facts and determined the individual “needed to be released,” emphasizing that law enforcement must follow the evidence wherever it leads, even when that means reversing course publicly.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha delivered a blunt assessment of the situation, stating, “We have a murderer out there,” underscoring the urgency of the ongoing search.
Suspect Still Unidentified:
With the original lead abandoned, investigators are now refocusing their efforts on a suspect seen in surveillance video released earlier by police. The footage shows a person dressed in dark clothing walking away from the Barus and Holley building shortly after the shooting. The individual’s face is not visible.
According to Providence Police, the suspect was last seen exiting the building near Hope Street, walking south before turning toward Waterman Street. Officials have acknowledged that limited interior camera coverage inside the building has complicated the investigation and restricted the amount of visual evidence available.
Victims And Campus Response:
Authorities have confirmed that two victims were killed and nine others wounded in the attack. As of Monday morning, several injured individuals remain hospitalized, including one listed in critical but stable condition, while others are reported to be stable. At least one victim has been discharged.
Brown University moved swiftly in the aftermath, suspending remaining academic activities for the semester, canceling classes and exams, and expanding counseling and support services for students, faculty, and staff.
Public Urged To Assist:
Providence Police are urging anyone who recognizes the individual in the surveillance video, witnessed suspicious activity near the engineering complex on Saturday, or possesses relevant footage from home security cameras, business surveillance systems, dashcams, or mobile phones to come forward immediately.
Tips can be submitted to the Providence Police Department Tip Line at 401-652-5767.
What Remains Unknown:
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive, nor have they released the names of the deceased, citing ongoing investigative needs and family notifications. Officials have also declined to provide a more detailed suspect description beyond what is visible in the released footage.
Law enforcement has stressed that the investigation remains active and fluid, and that additional developments are expected as evidence is analyzed and leads are pursued.
Englebrook Independent News will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as authorities confirm new information.
Editor’s Note:
This report is based solely on verified statements from Providence Police, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the City of Providence, and contemporaneous reporting by established regional and national news organizations. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this investigation and the public reversal of an earlier lead, readers are urged to treat speculation and unverified claims circulating online with caution, Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, Englebrook Independent News.
