(NewsNation) — Authorities have released more video and pictures of a man they believe is a suspect in Saturday’s shooting at Brown University, which killed two students and injured nine others.
The two victims were sophomore Ella Cook and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and officials have said the shooting occurred in a classroom. The release of the sole person of interest has left law enforcement without any known suspect and intensified efforts to identify the gunman.
The newly released video shows the man authorities are seeking in the areas of Hope and Waterman Streets as early as around 2 p.m. on Saturday; the first 911 call about the shooting came in just after 4 p.m.
In one video, the individual, donning a dark green and gray jacket, dark shoes, dark pants, a dark beanie and a dark face mask, walks down a sidewalk on Benevolent Street before pausing, looking around and slowly heading back in the direction they came. In two other videos, the individual walks across a road on Cook Street and walks down a sidewalk past a gated building on Manning Street.
The two photos show the individual with a mask covering most of his face.
“I would describe today’s work as making steady progress to identifying the person that we saw in the video that was released [previously], and the sooner we can identify that person, the sooner we can blow this case open,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said.
Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said the gunman used a 9 mm firearm and fired several rounds.
They also encourage anyone with any information to share a tip online or call them at 401-272-3121. The FBI announced a reward of $50,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual.
The new FBI wanted poster says investigators believe the suspect is “approximately 5’8″ with a stocky build.” The video and pictures show what appears to be a light-skinned person wearing a dark mask similar to those worn during the pandemic, a two-tone jacket and a winter hat.
The new photos and video were taken from 2:08-2:53 p.m. EST on Saturday, prior to the shooting at Brown. The university alerted students and campus faculty of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley engineering building at 4:22 p.m. EST.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley says residents saw enhanced police presence in the commercial districts on the East Side. He thanked the Rhode Island State Police as well as the police departments of North Kingstown, North Providence, East Providence, Central Falls and Pawtucket for all providing mutual aid. He says other communities’ offers of help will likely be taken.
Providence public schools were open today and will be open again Tuesday, he said.
Neronha is urging patience, saying investigators are confident this case will be solved. Officers returned to the neighborhoods near campus Monday to canvas for witnesses and review surveillance footage that could help track the shooter.
Police are asking anyone with security cameras near Hope and Waterman Streets to check their footage for potential clues. Investigators are also tracing firearms and analyzing ballistic evidence recovered inside Brown’s engineering building, where the shooting occurred.
The Providence Police Department is requesting that anyone from Brown University who was in the Barus & Holley building on Friday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Dec. 13, contact detectives to arrange for an interview.
“Even an incidental detail may be helpful in investigating,” Brown officials said in an alert.
Individuals are asked to email ppdtips@providenceri.gov and include their name and contact information as well as their timeframe and location inside Barus & Holley.
Person of interest released
On Sunday morning, officials took into custody a person of interest at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence. However, the person was later released after law enforcement authorities determined there was no basis to keep the individual in custody.
Neronha confirmed to NewsNation that while initial evidence pointed investigators in that direction, it no longer does. Officials also acknowledged it was unfortunate that the man’s name was made public, emphasizing that law enforcement does not detain people without sufficient cause.
“Sometimes you head in one direction, and then you have to regroup and go in another,” Neronha said. “There was some degree of evidence that pointed to this individual … that evidence now points in a different direction.”
“It’s not a mistake — it’s just how investigations work,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said.
Despite an enhanced police presence at Brown, officials are not recommending another shelter-in-place order like the one that followed the Saturday afternoon shooting, when hundreds of officers searched for the shooter and urged students and staff to stay put. The lockdown, which stretched into the night, was lifted early Sunday.
Authorities had not yet released information about a possible motive.
Two students killed at Brown University ID’d as manhunt resumes
One of the victims was identified as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, according to a social media post from Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth.
Cook served as vice president of Brown University’s College Republicans, the College Republicans of America said.
“Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.”
– College Republicans of America
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X, “There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.”
Cathedral Church of the Advent announced Sunday that Cook was a longtime parishioner along with her family, calling her a “tremendous light and such a witness.”
“Tragically, one of those people is one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday,” said Rev. Craig Smalley, according to WHDH-TV.
The second victim was identified as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, according to the American Uzbekistan Association.
“MukhammadAziz was known for his sharp intellect, kind heart, and quiet willingness to help anyone in need. 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.”
– The American Uzbekistan Association
U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick called Umurzokov’s death tragic and said the loss deeply saddened him.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Umurzokov’s family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future,” Henick said.
Brown University community ‘transformed by’ shooting: Professor
As the investigation continues, the Brown University community came together Sunday night for a vigil marked by grief, fear and a call for healing.
“We have all experienced this, unfortunately, too often from afar,” said activist Tony Morettini. “But boy, when it’s here, it just makes it so real. I think we’ve all been feeling … it literally hurts.”
“We’re a resilient community,” said Prudence Carter, a Brown University sociology professor. “Brown has a lot of spirit, but we’ll never be the same. We’ll be transformed by this moment.”
City and university leaders said the safety status remains unchanged, with a continued heavy police presence across Providence and on Brown’s campus.
The shooting occurred during one of the busiest moments of the academic calendar, as final exams were underway. Brown canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the semester and told students they could leave campus, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the gravity of the attack.
NewsNation local affiliate WPRI and The Associated Press contributed to this report.