Authorities have identified a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin as the person of interest detained in connection with Saturday’s shooting near Brown University, according to reporting by CNN. Investigators say the individual traveled from Wisconsin to Rhode Island in the days leading up to the incident, a detail that has drawn attention to how suspects can move across state lines before law enforcement is alerted. Officials have not publicly detailed a motive, and no formal charges had been announced at the time of reporting.
Law enforcement located the suspect early Sunday morning at a hotel in Coventry after the “FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team used cellphone data to geolocate” him, CNN reported. Agents and officers then gathered outside the hotel room, knocked, entered, and allegedly found two firearms inside the room, described as “a revolver and a small Glock handgun with a laser sight.” Authorities have not said whether the weapons were lawfully owned or how long the suspect had possessed them.
Investigators have indicated that the weapon used in the shooting was a 9mm handgun and that approximately 40 rounds were fired during the attack. The volume of gunfire has raised questions for campus safety officials and local law enforcement about response timelines, coordination between agencies, and the challenges of preventing violence in public spaces that are open by design. Brown University, like many higher-education institutions, maintains its own security presence while also relying on local and federal partners during emergencies.
Witnesses told police that the alleged attacker shouted something before opening fire, though those present have not been able to recall exactly what was said. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation remains active and that details may change as evidence is reviewed and interviews continue. Officials have also cautioned against drawing conclusions before the legal process unfolds, noting that the detained individual has not yet had the allegations tested in court.
The case underscores ongoing issues faced by universities and surrounding communities, including how quickly information is shared across jurisdictions, how technology is used to locate suspects, and how law enforcement balances rapid response with procedural safeguards. As the investigation proceeds, officials are expected to release additional information clarifying the sequence of events and any potential charges.
