The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others. The manhunt has entered its fourth day, with authorities describing the suspect as an “unknown suspect with a stocky build” who is considered armed and dangerous.
The shooting occurred on Saturday at approximately 4pm in the Barus & Holley engineering building. The suspect used a 9mm handgun. Among the victims were Ella Cook, 19, a second-year student from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, an Uzbek national from Virginia. Nine others were injured.
Investigators have released video clips of a male individual about 5ft 8in tall, wearing dark clothing, but have no clear image of his face. A person of interest was detained and released on Sunday. The FBI’s Boston field office is leading the investigation, which includes documenting the trajectory of more than 40 bullets.
Community frustration is growing over the pace of the investigation. Some have criticised the university’s surveillance systems, noting few cameras in the building where the shooting occurred. Brown University has a $7.2bn endowment, prompting questions about why it has not offered a larger reward. Students have also expressed concern that authorities only began seeking witness interviews three days after the incident.
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee assured the public that everything possible is being done to apprehend the killer. “We want to see the individual that pulled the trigger on these young kids identified, apprehended and brought to justice,” he said. The university has appealed for students who were near the scene to schedule interviews with investigators.
The atmosphere on campus remains tense as the search continues. The FBI urges anyone with information to come forward, emphasising that the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
