A manhunt has resumed in connection with a deadly shooting at Brown University in the US, after officials said a “person of interest” would be released from detention.
In a press conference on Sunday evening, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha explained that there was “no basis” to still consider the detained person to be of interest, and that the evidence “now points in a different direction”.
The investigation is ongoing and authorities are searching for additional video evidence that could help them track down the suspect.
Two people were killed and nine others injured after a gunman opened fire on Saturday at the Ivy League university in the city of Providence, the state capital.
Also speaking at Sunday evening’s press conference, Providence Police Chief Col Oscar Perez said investigators did not think the person detained was the individual shown in CCTV footage of the suspect that was released on the day of the attack.
In that footage, the suspect can be seen walking away from the scene wearing all black clothing.
A later post on X from Providence Police confirmed that “the person of interest is being released”.
The BBC has chosen to stop naming that person. Authorities did not say what had prompted them to detain them in the first place.
In his remarks, Col Perez said: “Whether something needs to be ruled out is not a mistake. It’s just how investigations work.”
Earlier on Sunday, FBI director Kash Patel said the person of interest had been detained at a hotel in the town of Coventry in the early hours – based on a lead from Providence Police.
At that point, Col Perez had confirmed that officers were not looking for anyone else and were working with prosecutors to collect evidence.
Also on Sunday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said one of those injured in the incident was in a critical condition, while seven others remained stable and another had been discharged from hospital.
The gunman opened fire in a classroom at around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday at the Holley engineering building at the eastern end of Brown’s campus, according to officials.
The identities of those killed and most of the injured have not yet been released, but Brown University President Christina Paxson told reporters on Saturday that all the victims, including those killed and wounded, were students.
In an email to staff on Sunday, the head of Durham Academy, a private school in North Carolina, said one of their alumna, Kendall Turner, was injured in the attack, US media reported.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family, and all members of the Brown University community during this incredibly difficult time,” said Michael Ulku-Steiner.
In a statement released by the university on Sunday, Prof Paxson said some areas of campus were still restricted as police continued their investigations.
Around 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight, she said, adding that she was “deeply moved” by students and locals who opened up their homes.
Prof Paxson said the families of the two students killed were being supported.
“There are not enough words of comfort for families who lose a child, but we will do all we can,” she added.
Smiley said an order for residents to shelter was lifted on Sunday.
The mayor said he had met with victims and their families in the hospital and was “overwhelmed” by their “courage, hope, and gratitude”.
A vigil will be held on Sunday evening for the community.
Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said he hoped the nine injured students “get well fast” and paid respects to the families of the two people who died.
The attack on the Ivy League university brings the number of mass shootings to 389 in the US for this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
It defines mass shootings as having four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.
