Person of interest in custody after 2 students killed, 9 injured in shooting at Brown University
WE ARE INTERRUPTING YOUR PROGRAMING TO BRING YOU BREAKING NEWS. POLICE ARRESTED A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING, AND THEY’RE GIVING A LIVE UPDATE RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE MAYOR. LET’S LISTEN IN. PROVIDENCE POLICE CHIEF COLONEL OSCAR PEREZ AND THEN TED DOCS FROM THE FBI WILL SHARE A FEW WORDS. THEN WE’LL TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS. WE ARE ABLE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE DETAINED A PERSON OF INTEREST INVOLVED IN YESTERDAY’S SHOOTING. COLONEL PEREZ WILL SPEAK IN A MINUTE ABOUT. THAT UPDATE. SECOND, I WANT TO LET THE PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, WE ARE LIFTING THE SHELTER IN PLACE FOR BROWN AND THE RELATED AREA. CAMPUS COMMUNICATIONS PUSHED OUT AN UPDATE TO THAT EFFECT A LITTLE WHILE AGO, AND THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE, THROUGH OUR OFFICIAL CHANNELS, IS MAKING THAT UPDATE NOW. AGAIN, THE SHELTER IN PLACE HAS BEEN LIFTED FOR THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE. FINALLY, I’LL NOTE ON JUST AN UPDATE ON THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RECOVERING AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL. THERE REMAINS SEVEN INDIVIDUALS IN STABLE CONDITION, ONE IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION, AND ONE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED. THOSE ARE THE NINE INDIVIDUALS INJURED YESTERDAY. WE TALKED YESTERDAY MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT THE TREMENDOUS COOPERATION AND AMOUNT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES THAT WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO US, AND I WANT TO OFFER MY PROFOUND THANKS TO ALL THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT TO BE ABLE TO GET US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE CAN CONFIRM THAT THERE IS A PERSON OF INTEREST WHO HAS BEEN DETAINED. THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF COLLABORATION THAT WE TRAIN FOR, AND THAT WE HOPE FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FBI, WITH THE STATE POLICE, AND OBVIOUSLY, THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF THE PROVIDENCE POLICE HAVE BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT. BUT IT IS WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS WHO WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER SEAMLESSLY THROUGHOUT THE EVENING AND INTO THE MORNING. AT THIS POINT, I’LL ASK GOVERNOR MCKEE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, AND THEN WE’LL HEAR FROM THE COLONEL AND FROM THE FBI, AND WE’LL TAKE TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS, GOVERNOR. THANKS, MAYOR. AND WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR THOUGHTS WITH THE FAMILIES AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS HORRIFIC EVENT AND WITHSTANDING, AGAIN, WITH BROWN UNIVERSITY AND, OF COURSE, THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND’S RESOURCES WILL CONTINUE TO BE THERE. MAYOR, AS WE PROCEED WITH THE. WITH THE PROCESS, WE’LL CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR STATE POLICE REALLY ON ALERT FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE SO THAT THERE’S A SENSE OF CALMNESS IN THE STATE. AND I WOULD JUST REPEAT WHAT I SAID LAST NIGHT. THE FACT THAT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IS IN SHOCK, BUT THEY’RE REALLY RESPONDING AS A COMMUNITIES THAT WE ALL LOVE, AND THAT THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE ARE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE LIVE IN A STATE THAT EVERYBODY COMES TOGETHER. SO AGAIN, MY THOUGHTS ARE STILL CENTERED ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES. AND I’M PRAYING THAT THE FAMILIES WILL FIND THE STRENGTH TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS IN A WAY THAT. THEIR LIVES ARE NOT DISRUPTED AS MUCH AS. THEY PROBABLY WILL BE. SO WE’LL KEEP OUR STATE POLICE OUT THERE. WE’LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE WITH THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND OF COURSE, BROWN UNIVERSITY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS BEING DONE POSSIBLE TO FOR PEOPLE FEEL AS THOUGH THAT WE’RE RESPONDING IN A WAY TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT. AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH YOU AS TIME GOES ON. THANK YOU. GOVERNOR. NOW WE’LL HEAR FROM COLONEL OSCAR PEREZ, PROVIDENCE POLICE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING. I’M GOING TO BE CLEAR. I’M GOING TO BE VERY LIMITED WITH WHAT I CAN SHARE WITH YOU ALL THIS MORNING. AGAIN, MY CONDOLENCES AND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WITH THE FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED BY THIS ACTIONS. SO AS THE MAYOR STATED, WE HAVE DETAINED SOMEONE OF INTEREST, BUT I RESPECT AND TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE INVESTIGATION, I WOULD ONLY BE LIMITED IN MY IN MY DETAILS. THE NEXT PROCESS FOR US IS WHAT WE DO BEST IN OUR DETECTIVES IS TO COORDINATE WITH THE PROSECUTORS, TO COLLECT EVIDENCE, TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS, AND THEN FROM THERE, WE’LL BE ABLE TO, WHEN IT’S APPROPRIATE AND ACCURATE, TO SHARE MORE DETAILS WITH YOU ALL. BUT I’M PLEASED TO SAY THAT, AS THE MAYOR STATED, THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE, IT’S ALL HANDS ON DECK. AND YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS INCIDENT IN THE CITY OF SHOCK, THE CONSCIENCE, WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT WE JUST STEPPED UP AND THE FEDERAL AGENTS, OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. BUT AS WELL, EVERY SINGLE MUNICIPALITY, THE STATE POLICE AND EVERY OTHER CHIEF IN THE STATE, WE CAME TOGETHER AS A SMALL STATE, IMPACTED A LOT OF US. THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED. AND SO AGAIN, I’M JUST HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE’RE IN THE PROCESS NOW OF COORDINATING WITH PROSECUTION, CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS, AND BEING ABLE TO COLLECT EVIDENCE SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE INVESTIGATION AND THAT WE CAN HOLD THE INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. SO NEXT, WE’LL HEAR FROM TED DOCS FROM THE FBI WHO WAS INTEGRAL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS AND ESPECIALLY EARLY THIS MORNING, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY FOR THE FAMILIES, THE VICTIMS, THIS COMMUNITY, HAVING THESE LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT UP HERE AND REALLY A COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE CAME TOGETHER WITH WITHIN 24 HOURS. WE TALKED ABOUT A TIMELINE. WITHIN 24 HOURS, WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A SUBJECT OF INTEREST THAT’S IN CUSTODY. I WILL SAY THAT WE COULD NOT DO THAT WITHOUT WORKING SEAMLESSLY WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE. I TELL YOU, NOT ONLY THE RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE, THE COLONEL HAS BEEN GREAT. DEA, ALSO RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE AS WELL. I MEAN, I TELL YOU, JUST WORKING WITH THOSE PARTNERS, COMING TOGETHER IN A WAY IN WHICH WE SHOULD LITERALLY NOT SLEEPING, WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN BRING ABOUT SOME TYPE OF EASE AND CALM TO THE COMMUNITY HERE. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE PARTNERS HERE, THE LEADERS AS WELL, BECAUSE I TELL YOU, THEY DID NOT SLEEP EITHER. AND WE WERE ON THE HORN DEFINITELY GLEEFULLY, WHEN WE GOT A PERSON OF INTEREST THERE. AND SO THAT’S WHAT YOUR FBI DOES, I TELL YOU. I WANT TO GIVE A PERSONAL THANKS TO NOT ONLY THE INVESTIGATORS, ALSO THE INTEL, THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK HEADQUARTERS. WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY COMING IN RIGHT NOW TO HELP WORK WITH THE VICTIMS. BUT I TELL YOU, THAT’S WHAT YOUR FBI DOES, AND THAT’S WHAT WE DO WITH OUR PARTNERS AND LEADERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. TED. WE’LL TAKE QUESTIONS. WAS THE PERSON TAKEN INTO CUSTODY LAST NIGHT OR THIS MORNING? HE WAS DETAINED EARLIER THIS MORNING. TELL US WHERE AND HOW IT KIND OF WENT DOWN. I CAN’T CONFIRM THAT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. AGAIN, JUST TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THIS INVESTIGATION, WE’RE TALKING TO THE ATTORNEY SPEAKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE, AND WE’LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT AT A LATER DATE OUTSIDE OF PROVIDENCE. AGAIN, I CAN’T CONFIRM THAT FOR YOU. RIGHT. HELP YOU RECOVER THE WEAPON AGAIN, JUST PART OF THE INVESTIGATION. WE’RE COLLECTING EVIDENCE, AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO DO SO, BUT WHEN APPROPRIATE AND ACCURATE, WE’LL BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU. CAN WE ASK PRESIDENT PAXSON? CAN YOU? OF COURSE. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE BROWN COMMUNITY, THE BROWN FAMILIES, THE BROWN ALUMNI, FOLKS WHO ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW? WELL, I YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS REELING AND WE HAVE A LOT OF RECOVERY AHEAD OF US. SO MY MY MAIN GOAL IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS AND MONTHS, IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME, IS TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER AND HELP THEM FEEL SAFE AND SECURE ON CAMPUS AND THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE ON CAMPUS TODAY, PRESIDENT, WE HAVE WE’VE PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS. WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, RELIGIOUS LIFE, STUDENT SERVICES, EVERYBODY WE CAN TO BE THERE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. AND I DO WANT TO SAY OUR DPS HAS BEEN GREAT, BUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE PROVIDENCE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICE TEAM, PEOPLE FROM THE NONVIOLENCE INSTITUTE HAVE BEEN ON, ON, ON CALL. THEY’VE BEEN AMAZING. SO JUST INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY IS THE PRESIDENT. CAN WE CONFIRM NOW THAT THE SHOOTING HAPPENED INSIDE A FINAL EXAM REVIEW FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS CLASS? THAT’S MY UNDERSTANDING, YES. IS THE PERSON OF INTEREST AFFILIATED WITH BROWN ANYWAY? ARE THEY A STUDENT STAFF? AGAIN, I WON’T BE ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE SOMEBODY AND WE HAVE DETAINED THEM AND WE’LL WE’LL CONDUCT OUR INVESTIGATION. OUR DETECTIVES WILL DO. AND I’M VERY CONFIDENT ON WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO PROVIDE FOR US. LOOKING FOR ANYBODY ELSE. NOT AT THIS POINT. BUT AGAIN, WE’RE STILL CONDUCTING OUR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. CAN YOU JUST SORT OF WALK US THROUGH? I RECOGNIZE YOU’RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO SAY VERY MUCH, BUT BETWEEN THE 11:00 PRESS CONFERENCE LAST NIGHT, YOU DIDN’T HAVE SOMEBODY. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUR OR HOWEVER LONG IT TOOK? WAS THERE A BREAKTHROUGH? CAN YOU GIVE US ANYTHING ON ON SORT OF HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE? SO AS OUR SPECIAL AGENT FROM THE FBI STATED, IT’S ALL COLLABORATION. IS COOPERATION. IT’S ALL HANDS ON DECK. WE’RE PICKING UP ON ANY LEADS, ANY TIPS THAT COME OUR WAY. AND THAT’S WHAT THAT’S WHAT WE DO. THAT’S WHAT THIS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE FOR FOR YEARS. AND SO WHEN SOME INCIDENTS OR HORRIFIC INCIDENTS LIKE THIS OCCUR, WE STEP UP AND WE ENDED UP WITH THE RESULTS OF DETAINING SOMEONE OF INTEREST. AND AGAIN TODAY WHEN WE UPDATE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE REST OF THE DETAILS. HOW WE CAME ABOUT TO STOP THAT INDIVIDUAL, NO HELP AT ALL. AGAIN, THIS ALL EVIDENCE THAT WE COLLECT, INCLUDING THE VIDEO AND INCLUDING OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE AND AND AGAIN, TIPS. BUT I ALSO LIKE TO COMMEND THE THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE. THEY, THEY THEY COME FORWARD AND PROVIDE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AS WELL. THERE’S A PASSION. IT’S WHAT WE DO WITH OTHERS AND WE REALLY CARE. AND SO IT’S IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE AN OFFICER IN, IN ONE PART OF THE STATE OR ANOTHER. WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. AND SO THAT’S WHAT IT COMES ABOUT. SO DID MORE TIPS COME IN AFTER YOU RELEASED THE VIDEO LAST NIGHT? HOW DID THAT PLAY INTO THE CORRECT YES. ALL TIPS THAT WE RECEIVED. DETECTIVES, FOLLOWED UP ON ON A LOT OF THEM. AND AGAIN, ALL THE RESOURCES THAT THE FEDERAL PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE ALSO FOLLOWED UP ON SOME OF THE TIPS, THIS 400 PLUS POLICE OFFICERS, A LOT OF THEM CAME, CAME TO WORK. WE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY WERE WORKING. SO IT ALL CAME DOWN TO COLLABORATION, COOPERATION. AND THAT’S WHY WE ARE WHERE WE’RE AT NOW. SO CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHAT POLICE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW? THEY’VE GOT STREETS STILL BLOCKED OFF. CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US? I’M SORRY. SAY THAT AGAIN. CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHAT POLICE ARE STILL DOING? THEY’RE BLOCKING OFF STREETS RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE? STAY CLEAR OF THAT AREA? YEAH. AGAIN, WE’RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF COLLECTING EVIDENCE, AND SO WE’RE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER. IT’S A POLICING IS VERY IT’S A DIFFICULT JOB. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT DUE PROCESS AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE INVESTIGATION. SO WE MAY COLLECT OTHER EVIDENCE. AND THAT’S WHY WE’RE STILL OUT THERE. WE HAVEN’T, BUT WE’RE CONFIDENT ENOUGH THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE DETAIN SOMEBODY OF INTEREST. SO CAN YOU SHARE IF THERE’S ANY UPDATES ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO BE HAPPENING WITH FINAL EXAMS OR FINAL PROJECTS BEYOND WHAT YOU ALREADY SHARED? YEAH. I MENTIONED LAST NIGHT THAT WE HAD CANCELED THE FINALS TODAY. THERE WERE FOUR FINALS. WE’RE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES WITH GUIDANCE FOR THE COMING WEEK. CHIEF, HERE’S A QUESTION. YES, CHIEF. SHOULD STUDENTS SHOULD STILL EXPECT TO SEE POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WALKING THROUGH CAMPUS, KNOCKING ON DOORS OR SO. ABSOLUTELY. THE COMMAND STAFF AND OBVIOUSLY THE PATROL DIVISION, WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS, BUT WE HAVE ACTUALLY ENHANCED THE PRESENCE IN THE STAFFING FOR THE DAY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE SEE US. AND SO, YES, WE WILL BE OUT THERE. AND SO JUST LIKE WE DO, YOU KNOW, ON THE WEEKENDS ESPECIALLY LIKE LAST NIGHT WAS EXTREMELY BUSY, WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS GOING ON IN THE CITY. WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, 200,000 POPULATION OF THE CITY, BUT ON THE WEEKENDS IT PICKS UP. AND SO JUST TODAY WE THE SAME, ESPECIALLY THE SNOW COMING DOWN. SO WE’LL HAVE AN ENHANCED. BUT UP HERE WE’LL DEFINITELY HAVE A PRESENCE. JUST LET ME JUST ADD TO THAT AND A LITTLE BIT. THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE STREETS CLOSED HERE PROXIMATE TO CAMPUS AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AND EVIDENCE IS COLLECTED AND SUCH THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE PROACTIVELY, INDIVIDUALS WILL SEE AN ENHANCED POLICE PRESENCE, NOT BECAUSE THERE IS PARTICULAR CAUSE FOR CONCERN OR EVIDENCE BEING GATHERED IN ANOTHER CORNER OR ANOTHER. BUT WE KNOW THAT IT IS A SUNDAY IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND WE WANT FOLKS TO FEEL SAFER KNOWING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY. TODAY, WE’RE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE POLICE TO THAT EFFECT, AND SO WE DON’T WANT THAT TO BE ALARMING. WE WANT THAT TO BE REASSURING TO OUR RESIDENTS, TO OUR VISITORS AND THOSE WHO MIGHT BE IN PROVIDENCE TODAY, RIGHT IMMEDIATE TO WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED YESTERDAY, THERE MIGHT STILL BE AN ENHANCED POLICE PRESENCE BECAUSE THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. BUT IF YOU SEE POLICE ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING THAT IN A PROACTIVE MANNER FOR THE COMFORT AND REASSURANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY, NOT BECAUSE THERE WAS EVIDENCE THERE OR ANY CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS IN PROVIDENCE. MAYOR. MAYOR, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE VICTIMS? THERE WAS A NINE. I KNOW YOU GAVE US THE CONDITIONS. WERE THEY STUDENTS WHEN WE RELAYING TO THE PUBLIC? SO WE KIND OF CATEGORIZE THEM AS WE ARE NOT RELEASING ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE VICTIMS AT THIS TIME. WE FULLY EXPECT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL UPDATES TODAY. AND IN ONE OF THE SUCCESSIVE UPDATES IN THE HOURS TO COME, WE WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON THE VICTIMS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE FAMILIES AND SUCH. SO WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME ON THAT. AND TWO FATALS, YES, THAT IT IS STILL THE CASE THAT THERE WERE TWO FATALITIES YESTERDAY. YOU WERE SAYING, YOU KNOW, THERE’S EXTRA POLICE PRESENCE AROUND THE CITY TODAY. PEOPLE SHOULDN’T BE ALARMED BY THAT. BUT CAN PEOPLE WITH THIS PERSON IN CUSTODY, YOU KNOW, THE CITY’S BEEN ON EDGE ALL NIGHT. PEOPLE BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER RIGHT NOW. GIVEN THAT NEWS. YEAH. THE PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE SHOULD BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER THIS MORNING. THE REASON THAT WE ARE HERE, AND AS THE COLONEL HAS SAID MANY TIMES, THE INVESTIGATION WITH REGARD TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN DETAINED IS IS VERY MUCH ONGOING. AND IN THE MIDDLE OF IT RIGHT NOW. BUT WE’RE PROVIDING THIS UPDATE SPECIFICALLY SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE CAN BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER THIS MORNING. THAT IS ALSO WHY WE FEEL CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE TO LIFT THE SHELTER IN PLACE FOR THE CITY MAYOR. NOTABLY, TODAY IS THE 13 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANDY HOOK SCHOOL SHOOTING. HOW HAS THAT HELPED SHAPE YOUR RESPONSE TO A SHOOTING LIKE THIS? AND WHAT MORE DO WE NEED TO? SO, AS I MENTIONED YESTERDAY, OUR OUR TWO PRIORITIES AS OF LAST NIGHT WERE TO ONE, BRING THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE. AND THAT INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. ALTHOUGH WE HAD A MEANINGFUL UPDATE THAT WE’VE JUST PROVIDED. TWO IS OUR CONCERN FOR THE VICTIMS WHO, AS I MENTIONED, ARE STILL MOST OF WHOM ARE STILL HOSPITALIZED. THAT REMAINS OUR PRIORITY RIGHT NOW. BUT AS EVERYONE MENTIONED YESTERDAY, THE GOVERNOR, PRESIDENT PAXSON AND MYSELF, AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE, SANDY HOOK AND MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE AROUND OUR COUNTRY. ANY OF US IN LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES HAVE HAD TO THINK ABOUT THIS. WE HAVE A GENERATION OF KIDS WHO HAVE DONE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAININGS. THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING I HAD TO DO WHEN I WAS A KID, AND WE ALL. I THINK MAYBE INTELLECTUALLY WE KNEW IT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE, INCLUDING HERE. BUT THAT’S NOT THE SAME AS IT HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY UPSETTING AND EMOTIONAL TIME FOR PROVIDENCE, FOR BROWN, FOR ALL OF US. I’M SORRY TO SAY WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS. AS WE MENTIONED YESTERDAY, WE’VE ALL TRAINED FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD HAVE TO TRAIN FOR, BUT WE HAVE, INCLUDING VERY RECENTLY. AND THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE. NOT WHAT IS IT? 16 HOURS LATER, 17 HOURS LATER. IN A POSITIVE WAY, WITH AN UPDATE AND AN INVESTIGATION THAT HAS PROGRESSED VERY QUICKLY. PART OF THAT SUCCESS IS BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATION THAT WE’VE HAD BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THEY TRAIN REGULARLY FOR THAT COLLABORATION. THAT PRACTICE WAS ALREADY THERE SO THAT WE COULD WORK SO WELL TOGETHER. WITH SO MANY RESOURCES BEING OFFERED, WHICH IS WONDERFUL THAT THOSE RESOURCES WERE OFFERED, BUT THEY’RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOU CAN USE THEM. AND WE WERE ABLE TO USE THEM BECAUSE WE HAD TRAINED FOR THIS MOMENT. BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING ANY COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE TO TRAIN FOR. AND SO THERE’LL BE PLENTY OF TIME TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN, WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR SOCIETY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT RIGHT NOW, OUR PRIORITIES REMAIN THE SAME AS THEY WERE YESTERDAY, WHICH IS TO BRING THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE. AND THERE’S AN INVESTIGATION THAT IS ONGOING, BUT MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. AND TO ENSURE THE FULL AND COMPLETE RECOVERY OF THE SURVIVORS OF THIS ATTACK WHO ARE STILL AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL AND WHOSE STATUS HAS NOT DEGRADED. AND WE SHOULD ALL THANK GOD FOR THAT. AND SO WE PLAN ON PROVIDING ADDITIONAL UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY. BUT TO THE EARLIER QUESTION, YES, THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDENCE SHOULD BREATHE AT LEAST A SMALL SIGH OF RELIEF AT THIS MOMENT. THOSE ATTACKS ARE A SIMILAR QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED, UNFORTUNATELY, TO BROWN TO BE LISTED. SANDY HOOK. THE NAMES UNFORTUNATELY FELL OFF THE TONGUE. JUST WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO? WELL, I MEAN, WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS, AS THE MAYOR SAID, IT’S SOMETHING WE THINK ABOUT. WE HAVE PREPARED FOR IN COORDINATION WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT YOU NEVER WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT’S JUST HARD TO HARD TO BELIEVE. AND OUR COMMUNITY STRONG AND WE’LL GET THROUGH IT. BUT IT’S IT’S DEVASTATING AND I KNOW IT IS FOR THE ENTIRE PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY. TO YOU ALL MENTIONED THERE WERE 400 POLICE OFFICERS LAST NIGHT. HAS THAT NUMBER INCREASED WITH THIS ENHANCEMENT OR IT STAYED THE SAME. SO SO WE HAVE REDUCED IT AT THIS POINT. AND SO YEAH, BUT AS THE MAYOR STATED, WE’LL MAKE SURE THAT JUST ENHANCED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THE DAY. AND JUST BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE CITY. SO DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER AT THIS POINT? SO WE’LL HAVE WE’LL HAVE 30 CARPOOLS THAT ARE WORKING. AND THAT INCLUDES ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE DETECTIVES THAT ARE WORKING. WE HAVE TASK FORCES THAT ARE WORKING. I’M WORKING. THE COMMANDER HAVEN’T SLEPT. SO THERE’LL BE A LOT OF US OUT THERE. SO CHIEF TELEMUNDO AUDIENCE, DO YOU MIND SPEAKING IN SPANISH? JUST A QUICK RECAP ON ITS SAFETY ALONGSIDE. SURE. THANK YOU. GRACIAS. SO. PERSONA DE LA POLICIA Y VAMOS A SEGUIR INVESTIGANDO. ESTAMOS A FISCAL. ESTAMOS EVIDENCIA. ESTAMOS KAREN ANDERSON TESTIMONIOS. VAMOS A DAR CUANDO TENER. LA INFORMACION APROPIADA. VAMOS A LA COMUNIDAD PARA Q. TENEMOS LA PERSONA YA. VENGA. PERO GRACIAS NUESTROS PARTNERS. FEDERALES Y TAMBIÉN A LAS OTRAS MUNICIPALIDADES POLICIAS DEPARTAMENTOS. DE COOPERATION PARA. DAR ES UNA. PASADO. TAMBIÉN LA INFORMACION SI ALGUIEN DE TODAS. AGRADECER. QUÉ ES LA UNIDAD? LA COLLABORATION ES IMPORTANTE. DORMIDO PARA LLEGAR A ESTE MOMENT. ENTONCES ESTAMOS AHI PARA PARA TENER RESULTADOS. PERO PUEDE RESPIRAR UN POQUITO MAS TRANQUILA. GREAT LAST QUESTION YESTERDAY YOU SAID THE PERSON OF INTEREST. YOU BELIEVED IN THEIR 30S. IS THAT STILL ACCURATE. I’M SORRY. THE PERSON OF INTEREST MAYBE IN THE 30S. IS THAT STILL ACCURATE. SO SO IF THEY CORRECT. YES. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON ADDITIONAL UPDATES. WE DO EXPECT TO BRIEF THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY AS OTHER RELEVANT DETAILS BECOME AVAILABLE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO NOTIFY YOU ALL THROUGH THE SAME PRESS LIST. AGAIN, IF YOU’RE NOT ON THE PRESS LIST, PLEASE SEE JOSH. HE’LL GET YOU ON THE PRESS LIST, BUT OTHERWISE WE’LL POS
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Person of interest in custody after 2 students killed, 9 injured in shooting at Brown University
A person of interest is in custody in connection with a shooting Saturday afternoon that left two students dead and nine others wounded at Brown University, investigators in Providence, Rhode Island, said Sunday morning.Watch the full press conference with the Providence police chief above Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one person has been discharged following the shooting, the mayor said.The shooting happened just after 4 p.m. in a university building that houses the school of engineering and the physics department. Col. Oscar Perez, chief of the Providence police, confirmed at a news conference that the detained suspect was in their 30s. Perez did not say where the suspect was arrested or whether the suspect was connected to the university. ABC News said the person in custody is not a Brown University student. The person was taken into custody based on a tip to law enforcement, a source with knowledge about the investigation told ABC News.Law enforcement offered few details about the person, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation. They did, however, note that they were not actively seeking anyone else.Hundreds of police officers had been scouring the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and poring over video in the hunt for the shooter who opened fire in a classroom.Two students were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting that took place in a classroom at Brown University’s Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the Physics Department.A person of interest is in custody in connection with the shooting at Brown University, officials said early Sunday. An earlier shelter-in-place order has ended, but access to some parts of campus remains limited during the investigation.Providence Police Department Cmdr. Timothy O’Hara released video of a man they were searching for in connection with the shooting. The man, dressed in black, was last seen exiting the engineering building on Hope Street side. “What you are going to see is a video from the building, where this incident took place, 184 Hope St. It’s of who we believe is the suspect leaving that area,” O’Hara said.The shelter-in-place order has ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene.Brown University President Christina Paxson said all of the shooting victims are students; however, their names were not released.”This is a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community. There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building.”We lost two community members today who were fatal victims of the shooting, and at this point, we know there are at least eight additional victims who were transported to the hospital. In this moment, they are in critical but stable condition, but this is an evolving situation. Our hearts are with their families,” Paxson said in a statement. Earlier, the school said a person was taken into custody and then later corrected the alert, saying a suspect had not been detained. “Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT as a last resort, take action to protect yourself,” the alert read.Dozens of law enforcement officials, some with guns drawn, were seen in the area, escorting students to safety.”There is currently heavy Providence Police and Fire presence on Hope Street near Brown University. Please exercise caution and avoid this area until further notice,” Providence police posted on X.The FBI and the ATF confirmed on the social media site X that they were both on the scene of the shooting at the campus. President Donald Trump said late in the afternoon that he had been briefed on the shooting.Video below: Students huddle together in library after fatal shooting at Brown University”God bless the victims and the families of the victims!” he said on his social media site.The Ivy League school is a private, nonprofit institution with about 7,300 undergraduates and just over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A person of interest is in custody in connection with a shooting Saturday afternoon that left two students dead and nine others wounded at Brown University, investigators in Providence, Rhode Island, said Sunday morning.
Watch the full press conference with the Providence police chief above
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Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one person has been discharged following the shooting, the mayor said.
The shooting happened just after 4 p.m. in a university building that houses the school of engineering and the physics department.
Col. Oscar Perez, chief of the Providence police, confirmed at a news conference that the detained suspect was in their 30s. Perez did not say where the suspect was arrested or whether the suspect was connected to the university.
ABC News said the person in custody is not a Brown University student. The person was taken into custody based on a tip to law enforcement, a source with knowledge about the investigation told ABC News.
Law enforcement offered few details about the person, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation. They did, however, note that they were not actively seeking anyone else.
Hundreds of police officers had been scouring the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and poring over video in the hunt for the shooter who opened fire in a classroom.
- Two students were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting that took place in a classroom at Brown University’s Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the Physics Department.
- A person of interest is in custody in connection with the shooting at Brown University, officials said early Sunday.
- An earlier shelter-in-place order has ended, but access to some parts of campus remains limited during the investigation.
Providence Police Department Cmdr. Timothy O’Hara released video of a man they were searching for in connection with the shooting. The man, dressed in black, was last seen exiting the engineering building on Hope Street side.
“What you are going to see is a video from the building, where this incident took place, 184 Hope St. It’s of who we believe is the suspect leaving that area,” O’Hara said.
The shelter-in-place order has ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene.
Brown University President Christina Paxson said all of the shooting victims are students; however, their names were not released.
“This is a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community. There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building.
“We lost two community members today who were fatal victims of the shooting, and at this point, we know there are at least eight additional victims who were transported to the hospital. In this moment, they are in critical but stable condition, but this is an evolving situation. Our hearts are with their families,” Paxson said in a statement.
Earlier, the school said a person was taken into custody and then later corrected the alert, saying a suspect had not been detained.
“Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT as a last resort, take action to protect yourself,” the alert read.
Dozens of law enforcement officials, some with guns drawn, were seen in the area, escorting students to safety.
“There is currently heavy Providence Police and Fire presence on Hope Street near Brown University. Please exercise caution and avoid this area until further notice,” Providence police posted on X.
The FBI and the ATF confirmed on the social media site X that they were both on the scene of the shooting at the campus.
President Donald Trump said late in the afternoon that he had been briefed on the shooting.
Video below: Students huddle together in library after fatal shooting at Brown University
“God bless the victims and the families of the victims!” he said on his social media site.
The Ivy League school is a private, nonprofit institution with about 7,300 undergraduates and just over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
