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Manhunt Underway After Shooting at Brown University Kills Two Students

2025-12-16

The BareStory

A manhunt is underway following a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday that left two students dead and nine others wounded. A campus lockdown initiated after the incident was lifted on Sunday.

The shooting reportedly took place in a first-floor classroom where a study group was meeting. The two students killed were identified as Ella Cook, 19, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18. According to a statement from Brown University President Christina Paxson, as of Sunday, one wounded student was in critical condition, while seven others were in critical but stable condition.

Authorities have released video of a suspect they described as a man approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a stocky build, wearing a mask and a dark jacket. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information. Officials also confirmed that a person of interest who had been detained on Sunday was later cleared and released.

The search for the gunman entered its fourth day on Tuesday. While Rhode Island's Attorney General stated that investigators were making "steady progress," Callahan Walsh, described as a co-host for "America's Most Wanted," claimed the investigation faced challenges from a "concerning lack of clues." Walsh said the released footage was grainy and that the suspect's face was covered, making identification difficult.

Left Perspective

  • Authorities state the investigation is progressing.
  • Concrete investigative actions have been taken.
  • Law enforcement is actively vetting potential leads.

Right Perspective

  • The investigation is reportedly hampered by a lack of evidence.
  • Key video evidence is of poor quality.
  • The suspect's appearance is obscured, complicating identification.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• With a gunman still at large after a deadly university shooting, public safety concerns may increase, particularly for those in the Providence, Rhode Island area.

• Conflicting reports on the investigation—official optimism versus claims of few clues—could affect public confidence in law enforcement's ability to resolve the case.

• The incident may prompt other universities nationwide to review their security protocols, potentially leading to new safety policies affecting students and campus life.

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