Authorities in the United States are urgently searching for a suspect described as 'armed and dangerous' following a fatal shooting near Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The FBI has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest, as criticism mounts over the handling of the investigation.
Manhunt Intensifies with New Footage and Reward
At a press conference on Monday, Ted Docks, head of the FBI's Boston office, confirmed the substantial reward and reiterated that the public should consider the individual dangerous. This came as investigators released new surveillance footage in an effort to identify the perpetrator. The video shows a male, approximately 5'8" with a stocky build, walking on Waterman Street at around 4:06 pm on Saturday, coinciding with the time of the attack.
Providence Police Chief, Col. Oscar Perez, stated that officers responded within minutes of the initial 911 calls. 'We want to identify the individual and bring them to justice,' Perez said, urging the public to contact a dedicated tip line with any information. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha told WPRI that the person in the video is of 'significant interest' and claimed officials are 'definitely getting closer'.
Community on Edge as Investigation Faces Scrutiny
The ongoing search has caused significant disruption and anxiety across Providence and the wider academic community. All public school after-school activities and sporting events have been cancelled through at least Tuesday, while several colleges, including Ivy League institutions like Yale, have heightened security measures.
The release of new footage follows widespread frustration over an earlier, unclear clip of a shadowy figure. The investigation has faced public criticism, particularly after a 'person of interest', 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, was detained and subsequently released without charge. Attorney General Neronha confirmed Erickson is 'not a person of interest at all at this point'.
The shooting, which occurred nearly 50 hours ago, has left the community reeling. Brown University sophomore Theo Coben, who sheltered during the incident, told the New York Times that 'everyone's on edge'. The sentiment was echoed by student Li Ding, who expressed frustration over perceived security failures on the surveilled campus.
Victims Identified as Search Continues
The two students killed in the attack have been named as Ella Cook, 19, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18. A third victim, Kendall Turner, 19, remains in a critical but stable condition after surgery. As of Monday afternoon, no suspect is in custody, with FBI agents actively combing areas of Providence for evidence.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the news of the shooter remaining at large is 'likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community'. The situation has already triggered false alarms, including a reported armed man at a Warwick mall, which police investigated without result.
