Law enforcement officials in Providence have made a public appeal for video footage that could help identify the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting at Brown University. The incident resulted in the deaths of two students and left nine others injured. Despite releasing a new video timeline and a slightly clearer image of a potential suspect, investigators reported no significant progress in identifying the individual as of Tuesday.
Investigation Challenges and Public Appeal
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez emphasized the critical need for public assistance, stating that investigators are searching for a fleeting moment captured on camera. The police have received approximately 200 tips so far. A major hurdle in the case is the lack of clear video evidence from inside the engineering building where the shooting occurred, despite the campus being equipped with around 1,200 cameras. In all released footage, the suspect's face is either obscured by a mask or turned away from the camera. Authorities have only been able to provide a general description: a stocky build and a height of roughly 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).
Online Speculation and University Response
Amid the stalled investigation, online forums and social media platform X witnessed a surge in speculation focusing on a first-year student named Mustapha Kharbouch. This speculation intensified after his profile was removed from Brown University's official website. Screenshots of the now-deleted profile identified Kharbouch as a third-generation Palestinian refugee from Lebanon, studying International Affairs and Anthropology with a Middle East focus. Online users pointed to the removal of his profile and associated social media accounts as potential evidence of involvement, with some accusing the university of "scrubbing" his information.
In a firm response, Brown University issued a statement condemning the online speculation and harassment. The university urged the public to avoid spreading unverified accusations, warning that such actions could cause irrevocable harm and endanger community safety. The statement clarified that removing online information can be a precautionary safety measure to protect individuals from targeted harassment and is not an indication of guilt.
Officials Warn Against Dangerous Conclusions
Both university officials and law enforcement authorities have explicitly stated that no suspect has been publicly identified in connection with the shooting. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha echoed the university's concerns in an interview with CNN. He cautioned the public against drawing conclusions based solely on online activity, noting there could be "lots of reasons" for a webpage to be taken down. Neronha warned that randomly naming individuals was a "dangerous road to go down."
Police reiterated that if Kharbouch or any other individual was a relevant person of interest, they would be actively sought by law enforcement with information provided to the public. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to sift through tips and plead for any potential video evidence from the public that could break the case open.
