A person of interest who was detained in connection with a deadly shooting at Brown University in the US will be released shortly, local officials have said.
Providence Police Chief Col Oscar Perez stated that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the detained individual, with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha adding that the evidence now points in a different direction.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are searching for additional video evidence that could assist in tracking down the suspect, as reported by the local mayor.
On Saturday, two individuals were killed and nine others injured when a gunman opened fire at the Ivy League university in Providence, Rhode Island.
Col Perez, at a joint news conference on Sunday, confirmed that investigators did not believe the person detained was the same individual identified in CCTV footage of the suspect released on the day of the attack. The BBC has opted not to name the person who has been released.
The suspect was seen in the footage walking away from the scene dressed in all black clothing.
Following the release of footage, FBI Director Kash Patel indicated that a person of interest had been detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, based on a lead from Providence Police.
The mayor confirmed that officers were not seeking anyone else and were collaborating with prosecutors to gather evidence.
At a news conference on Sunday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley mentioned that seven people who were injured in this incident remained in stable condition, one in critical condition, while another had been discharged from the hospital.
The gunman reportedly opened fire in a classroom around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) at the Holley engineering building on the southeastern end of Brown's campus.
While the identities of the deceased and most of the injured have not yet been disclosed, Brown University President Christina Paxson stated that all victims, including the deceased and the injured, were students.
Michael Ulku-Steiner, head of Durham Academy, a private school in North Carolina, revealed that one of their alumni, Kendall Turner, was injured in the attack. In a message on social media, he extended thoughts and prayers to Kendall and all affected members of the Brown University community.
In a statement released by the university, Professor Paxson noted that some areas on campus remained restricted as police continued their investigations. Approximately 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight, with the professor expressing deep gratitude to both students and locals who offered their homes.
Professor Paxson also mentioned that the families of the two students killed are receiving support.
There are not enough words of comfort for families who lose a child, but we will do all we can, she added.
Mayor Smiley announced that an order for residents to shelter in place was lifted on Sunday.
He expressed being overwhelmed by the resilience, hope, and gratitude displayed by victims and their families during their hospital visits.
A vigil is set to be held on Sunday evening for the community.
President Donald Trump communicated his hopes for the speedy recovery of the nine injured students and extended condolences to the families of the two deceased individuals.
This incident contributes to the staggering number of mass shootings in the US this year, totaling 389 incidents, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which classifies mass shootings as events with four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.
