The inquiry into the shooting at Brown University is progressing quickly, particularly after a dignitary was arrested at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, according to police reports on Sunday.
Authorities executed a raid at the hotel around 3:45 a.m., taking a man in his 20s into custody after an extensive 11-hour investigation.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez Jr. emphasized the commitment of the police, stating, “We are fully committed.” He noted the cooperation with federal partners and various local agencies, expressing confidence in the efforts of the Providence Police Department as well.
He further remarked, “That’s likely why we’ve made such progress.” However, no formal charges have been announced against those detained as of yet.
During a press conference later, officials offered limited details about the event, with Perez labeling it as “complicated.” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley reassured the public that despite the scant information, there had been no major obstacles confronted by the police.
As for the victims, police confirmed they would not release names — this was due to families not yet being informed of the circumstances. Mayor Smiley shared a poignant moment with one of the injured students at the hospital, who expressed that a high school active shooter drill had helped him during the crisis. This exchange was bittersweet for Smiley, providing a sliver of hope amidst tragic circumstances.
Reports indicate the shooter was armed with a handgun and had fired a round larger than 40.9mm. It appears he entered the classroom while reviewing an economics exam and shouted something before opening fire, although the specifics of what he said remain unclear. Joseph Oduro, a teaching assistant present at the scene, recounted the horror of making eye contact with the gunman as chaos erupted.
Oduro described hearing gunshots outside, and upon the gunman entering, he witnessed the woman beside him get shot multiple times in the leg as he sought cover under a desk with other students. “It felt like an eternity,” he reflected on the moment until the shooter eventually fled.
