Two days after a gunman opened fire in a crowded lecture hall at Brown University’s Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, killing two students and wounding nine others, the search for the perpetrator has entered a critical phase. On Monday, December 15, 2025, Providence Police and the FBI released additional surveillance video and clearer images of the suspect, described as a male approximately 5’8″ tall with a stocky build, dressed in dark clothing. The footage shows the individual walking calmly away from the scene shortly after the attack and earlier in the day near campus intersections. Authorities stressed that the person should be considered armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach but to report any sightings immediately.

In a significant escalation, the FBI announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the shooter. “This individual is believed to be armed and dangerous,” said Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston field office, during a joint press conference with Providence officials. “We are asking everyone in Rhode Island and beyond to review these images, share them widely, and come forward with even the smallest detail that could help.” Tip lines flooded with calls following the announcement, as residents canvassed neighborhoods and shared the flyers on social media.

The attack unfolded around 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, during a review session for an introductory economics class in Room 166 of the Barus and Holley building. Students barricaded doors, hid under desks, and applied pressure to wounds as chaos erupted. The two fatalities were identified as Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, known for her musical talent and leadership in the Brown College Republicans; and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman from Uzbekistan, celebrated for his intellectual curiosity and aspirations in medicine and law. Nine others sustained injuries, with conditions ranging from critical to stable, including gunshot wounds treated at Rhode Island Hospital.

The release of new evidence came after a frustrating setback: a person of interest detained Sunday following an FBI raid on a Coventry hotel was cleared and released overnight. Authorities initially believed the man matched early descriptions, but further investigation shifted focus. “The evidence now points in a different direction,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated, emphasizing that the probe remains active with no credible ongoing threats to the campus or community.

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez detailed the new leads during the briefing. “These videos and photos were captured around 2 p.m. on Saturday, hours before the shooting, and we believe it’s the same individual seen leaving the building afterward.” The footage depicts the suspect in dark attire, face partially obscured, walking purposefully near Hope, Benevolent, and Manning streets—areas bustling with students during finals week. Door-to-door canvassing by officers yielded doorbell camera submissions, while K-9 units and evidence teams raked snow-covered grounds around the crime scene for overlooked clues.

The shooting has profoundly shaken Brown’s tight-knit community of about 10,000 students, faculty, and staff. The university canceled all remaining fall semester classes, exams, and projects, delaying early decision admissions notifications. Mental health resources expanded, with counseling sessions, food deliveries, and peer support networks mobilized. Vigils lit the campus under winter skies: a Hanukkah menorah ceremony symbolizing resilience, candlelight gatherings where mourners shared stories of the victims’ vibrancy. Makeshift memorials of flowers, notes, and photos bloomed outside Van Wickle Gates and the engineering building.

Survivors’ accounts highlighted both terror and heroism. One student credited high school active shooter drills for quick thinking in barricading the room. Another, shot in the leg, described passing water to wounded classmates while sheltered. Among those twice-traumatized were junior Mia Tretta, who survived the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in California, and sophomore Zoe Weissman, present during the 2018 Parkland massacre. “It’s terrible and horrific, but not surprising,” Tretta said, channeling grief into renewed calls for gun reform. Weissman echoed the sentiment: “First Parkland, now Brown—my safe haven stolen again.”

Providence, a city of historic charm and academic vibrancy, grappled with heightened anxiety. Foot traffic dwindled near campus, news helicopters circled overhead, and enhanced patrols reassured residents. Mayor Brett Smiley visited hospitals, praising victims’ courage and first responders’ swift actions. “This has shaken us deeply,” he admitted, vowing transparency amid swirling online speculation. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee mobilized state resources, declaring, “We will bring this individual to justice.”

Nationally, the incident reignited debates over gun violence. 2025 has seen hundreds of mass shootings, with school incidents claiming young lives amid stalled reforms. Leaders offered condolences: President Donald Trump called for swift capture of the “animal” responsible, while critics decried politicization. Anti-gun groups like Sandy Hook Promise marked the grim coincidence—the shooting fell near the anniversary of past tragedies.

Forensic analysis revealed a 9mm handgun as the likely weapon, with shell casings recovered. No motive has emerged, and officials confirmed a lone gunman with no accomplices suspected. The FBI’s involvement brought federal assets: digital forensics, behavioral analysis, and nationwide alerts.

As dusk fell on Monday, the East Side neighborhoods—usually alive with holiday shoppers and concertgoers—felt subdued. Nearby Providence College canceled in-person finals, mirroring Brown’s response. GoFundMe campaigns for victims’ families surged past goals, reflecting communal solidarity.

The $50,000 reward underscores urgency: tips can be submitted anonymously via FBI hotlines or Providence’s tip center. “Even an incidental detail—gait, clothing, a familiar walk—could break this case,” Docks urged. In a city priding itself on safety and intellect, the manhunt symbolizes a broader reckoning. Brown’s progressive ethos, emphasizing open inquiry and community, now confronts raw vulnerability.

Ella Cook’s piano melodies and Mukhammad Umurzokov’s dreams silenced too soon—their legacies fuel determination. As searches extend beyond Providence, hope persists that the new video will yield the breakthrough. For a generation drilled in survival yet yearning for prevention, justice feels imperative. The investigation presses forward, a community heals in fragments, and a nation watches, praying this suspect’s trail ends soon.