What we know
A manhunt is underway after two people were killed and nine others were wounded in a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday.
Officials released new photos and videos of a person of interest this evening. A man detained over the weekend was released because the evidence no longer supported holding him, officials said.
One of the victims was Ella Cook, vice president of the Brown College Republicans chapter. The other was Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, from Uzbekistan, in central Asia.
Officials have emphasized that the investigation is moving quickly, with evidence being collected by multiple agencies, but they are not yet confirming details that could compromise the case.
Brown has canceled its remaining fall semester classes, and the shooting has reignited the debate over gun control and how to protect college students before and during mass shootings.
New videos and photos released in search for gunman
Providence police today released new videos and photos of the person believed to have opened fire at Brown University.
The videos and photos, recorded a few hours before the shooting, show a man dressed in black on Hope and Manning streets and on Benevolent Street.
“It’s all hands on deck,” the Providence police chief, Col. Oscar L. Perez Jr., said at a news conference this afternoon. State police and federal agencies are also assisting in the search.
Authorities asked people in Rhode Island and beyond to review the new videos and photos and to call police if they have any information.
“Everything that is physically possible is being done,” Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said.
The FBI today announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the gunman.
Sandy Hook mom calls Brown University shooting ‘unacceptable’
Nicole Hockley, who lost her son in the Sandy Hook massacre, called the Brown University shooting “unacceptable.” Hockley shared signs and action steps that can be taken to intervene before violence occurs.
Providence mayor and police to hold news conference at 5 p.m. ET
The city of Providence announced that Mayor Brett Smiley, the Providence Police Department and other law enforcement officials will provide an update on the investigation into the shooting at 5 p.m. ET.
Ballistics evidence led to release of initial person of interest, officials say
The man authorities initially detained as a person of interest was released last night in part because of ballistics evidence.
A comparison between one of the guns found with the man and the ballistics recovered at the scene did not match, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.
What the specific evidence was — ammunition, shell casings, etc. — wasn’t detailed to NBC News.
However, it was one of the factors that made it clear to law enforcement that they didn’t have a case for holding the person any longer.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha confirmed to NBC News that the man isn’t a suspect and isn’t under surveillance.
