Authorities released new surveillance photos Dec. 15 of a person of interest in the deadly Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University and announced a significant financial reward for information leading to an arrest. The update comes one day after investigators discharged a previously detained person of interest, saying evidence no longer supported holding him.
FBI Director Kash Patel shared images of the person of interest on social media, saying the bureau is offering “a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual.”
The Providence Police Department also released surveillance video showing the person of interest walking along a street at 4:06 p.m. on Dec. 13. CatholicVote previously reported that the shooting occurred around 4 p.m. the same day.
As CatholicVote reported, a gunman opened fire inside a university classroom where students were holding a final exam review session. Two students were killed, and nine other individuals were injured before the gunman fled the scene.
The shooting prompted a campus-wide lockdown that was lifted the following day. The university later canceled all remaining exams, classes, papers, and projects for the semester.
Police initially detained a person of interest, but authorities announced late Dec. 14 that there was insufficient evidence to continue holding him.
“Evidence now points in a different direction,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said during a news conference Dec. 14.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the decision could raise concern among residents but said officials do not believe there is an ongoing threat.
“We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community,” Smiley said, “and we want to reiterate what we said earlier, which remains true, which is ever since the initial call — now a day and a half ago — we have not received any credible or specific threats to the Providence community.”
Police had previously released surveillance footage showing a suspect walking near campus dressed in black with his face covered.
Authorities have not identified a motive. The FBI is assisting local and state law enforcement, and officials have urged anyone with information to submit tips through a dedicated hotline.
Who are the victims?
One of the victims was Ella Cook, a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, according to Alabama Gov. Will Ainsworth. Ainsworth described Cook on social media as a “devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama.”
Cook served as vice president of the Brown University College Republicans. The group’s president, Martin Bertao, said in a statement that she was “known for her bold, brave, and kind heart.”
Brown University shooting victim Ella Cook, 20, was a conservative Christian from Alabama.
Remembered as a “bright light” by her church, she was known for her faith on campus. The governor called her death “a bright future ended too soon.”
Pray for her soul
pic.twitter.com/e5KaN9LRQV
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) December 15, 2025
AP News identified the second victim as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. Umurzokov’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when he was a young boy, CBS News reported.
“Mukhammad Aziz was known for his sharp intellect, kind heart, and quiet willingness to help anyone in need,” the American Uzbekistan Association said in a social media post. “He carried himself with humility and compassion, earning the respect and affection of those around him. His curiosity, discipline, and generosity reflected both his character and the values of the community that raised him.”
One of the nine people injured, Kendall Turner from North Carolina, remains in critical condition, the New York Post reported. The remaining eight victims are listed as stable, and one has been discharged from the hospital.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting during a press conference Dec. 14.
“I want to just pay my respects to the people — unfortunately, two are no longer with us — at Brown University,” he said. “Nine injured, and two are looking down on us right now from heaven.”
The post Person of interest in Brown University shooting released, manhunt still on appeared first on CatholicVote org.