Providence, R.I. — In the wake of the December 13th mass shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others wounded, investigators have turned a fresh page in the desperate hunt for answers. This week, Providence police released an enhanced image of a person spotted near the primary person of interest in the case — and they’re urging the public to help identify him. Authorities believe this individual’s movements could be a key piece in understanding the events that unfolded before and after the tragedy.
The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. on Saturday inside the Barus & Holley engineering building, where students were taking exams. Police have confirmed that two Brown students — 19-year-old senior Ella Cook and 18-year-old freshman MukhammadAziz Umurzokov — were killed in the attack, and nine others were struck by gunfire, with several still in hospital care.
In an unusual move for an ongoing investigation, the Providence Police Department took to social media Wednesday with an “enhanced photo” of a man they say was in close proximity to the person of interest. In the clearer images, the man appears to be walking in a residential area not far from the campus, wearing glasses and casual clothing, carrying what looked like a bag. Investigators believe he may have seen or interacted with the suspected shooter in the hours leading up to the attack.
Alongside the photo, police released a detailed map showing where the main person of interest was documented on surveillance video throughout the day of the shooting. Areas marked in green on the map represent confirmed sightings before the incident, while red highlights show movements afterward. In addition to these visuals, authorities have identified a broad “blue zone” where they’re encouraging residents and businesses to check any available security, doorbell, or dash camera footage from the day — even from hours earlier than the attack.
Investigators emphasized that every bit of footage might help fill in missing pieces of the timeline: from what the person of interest was doing in the neighborhood to how events unfolded in the moments surrounding the shooting. Residents who may have footage but need help submitting it are urged to contact the Providence Police tip line at 401-272-3121.
So far, despite releasing multiple enhanced clips and photos, police have not identified the gunman, and they continue to ask for leads. The FBI has joined the effort, offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the person’s arrest and conviction. Even as tips pour in, with around 200 deemed “actionable,” authorities acknowledge that the investigation remains complex and fluid.
For the Brown and Providence communities, the release of these new images rekindles both anxiety and hope. Parents, students, and neighbors have rallied around the victims’ families and are watching closely as law enforcement pieces together the movements of those involved. With every grainy frame analyzed and every potential witness reached, authorities inch closer to answers in a case that has shaken a tight-knit campus and city.
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