Federal and state authorities in the United States are actively investigating a possible connection between two separate shootings that occurred within days of each other at prestigious Ivy League institutions, according to an Associated Press report. The first incident was a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, followed by the fatal shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor near Boston.
Two Attacks, One Investigation: The Timeline
The violent sequence began on Saturday inside a classroom at Brown University's engineering building. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of two students and left nine others wounded. The assailant managed to flee the scene and remains at large.
Merely two days later, on Monday night, a second shooting took place approximately 50 miles north of Providence. MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro was shot at his home in the Boston area. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the following day.
While the FBI had initially stated it was unaware of any link between the cases, the investigation has taken a new turn. Three anonymous sources familiar with the probe have revealed that investigators are now examining whether the two shootings are linked. Furthermore, authorities have identified a person of interest and are actively searching for that individual.
Frustration Mounts as Investigation Faces Hurdles
Nearly a week after the initial attack, frustration is growing in Providence as no arrests have been made. Law enforcement has not released a clear image of the shooter's face, complicating public identification efforts.
Police have circulated several video clips from before and after the Brown shooting. The footage shows a person matching witness descriptions—approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build—standing, walking, and running near the campus. However, the individual's face is consistently obscured by a mask or turned away from cameras.
A significant challenge stems from surveillance gaps. Although Brown University has around 1,200 cameras, the shooting occurred in an older section of the engineering building with few, if any, cameras. Investigators believe the shooter used a door facing a residential street to enter and exit, likely avoiding the main campus surveillance network.
Investigators have urged the public to review personal phone and security footage from the week leading up to the attack, suspecting the shooter may have cased the location beforehand. Officials have not indicated an arrest is imminent.
Community on Edge as Motive Remains Unknown
The lack of a clear motive and a suspect at large has created palpable anxiety in the community. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged the fear, stating, "It is a scary time in the city." He noted that families are likely having difficult conversations about their holiday plans and safety.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence suggesting a specific individual was targeted in the Brown University attack, leaving the motive a mystery. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, while addressing the slow progress, emphasized that "there's no discouragement among people who understand that not every case can be solved quickly."
The investigation continues as a multi-agency effort, with the safety of the academic communities at Brown and MIT being a paramount concern. The search for the person of interest is ongoing, with officials working to determine if a single perpetrator is responsible for both violent acts.
