Search resumes for Brown University gunman after 'person of interest' released

A search for the shooter in a deadly rampage at Brown University in the US is back on, after officials detained and released a previous "person of interest".

In a Sunday evening press conference, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said there was "no basis" to keep the person in custody, adding that evidence "now points in a different direction".

Students Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov were killed in the attack on Saturday at the Ivy League university in Providence, the state capital. Nine others were injured.

The investigation is ongoing and authorities are searching for additional video evidence that could help them track down the suspect.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X about Ms Cook: "There are no words.

"Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them."

About the other student killed, Uzbekistan-national Mr Umurzokov, the US ambassador to the country said he was "deeply saddened by reports of the tragic death".

"We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Umurzokov's family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future," Ambassador Jonathan Henick said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency "will continue an all out 24/7 campaign until justice is fully served".

Providence Police Chief Col Oscar Perez said during a press conference on Sunday that investigators did not think the person detained earlier was the individual shown in CCTV footage walking away from the scene wearing all black clothing.

The BBC has chosen to stop naming that person. Authorities did not say what had prompted them to detain the person in the first place.

There is not an immediate threat to Brown or the local community, the university said in a statement. But the university asked "every member of the Brown community to be vigilant in their own activities on campus".

All remaining in-person exams and classes for the semester have been cancelled.

On Sunday, Patel said the person of interest had been detained at a hotel in the town of Coventry in the early hours - based on a lead from Providence Police.

At that point, Col Perez said officers were not looking for anyone else and were working with prosecutors to collect evidence.

The gunman opened fire in a classroom at around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday at the Holley engineering building at the eastern end of Brown's campus, according to officials.

The identities of most of those killed and injured have not yet been released, but Brown University President Christina Paxson told reporters on Saturday that all the victims, including those killed and wounded, were students.

On Sunday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said one of those injured in the incident was in a critical condition, while seven others remained stable and another had been discharged from hospital.

In a post on X, the College Republicans of America released a statement identifying Ella Cook as one of the deceased.

"We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President Ella Cook," the statement said.

"Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates."

In a statement about the loss of Mr Umurzakov, the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The loss of innocent lives as a result of this tragedy is a heavy loss for all of us."

Mr Umurzokov's aunt, Karina Gabit, told NBC News that he was an aspiring neurosurgeon who was "very kind, smart. Attended talented and gifted schools".

In an email to staff on Sunday, the head of Durham Academy, a private school in North Carolina, said one of their alumna, Kendall Turner, was injured in the attack, US media reported.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family, and all members of the Brown University community during this incredibly difficult time," said Michael Ulku-Steiner.

In a statement released by the university on Sunday, Prof Paxson said some areas of campus were still restricted as police continued their investigations.

Around 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight, she said, adding that she was "deeply moved" by students and locals who opened up their homes.

Prof Paxson said the families of the two students killed were being supported.

"There are not enough words of comfort for families who lose a child, but we will do all we can," she added.

Smiley said an order for residents to shelter was lifted on Sunday.

The mayor said he had met with victims and their families in the hospital and was "overwhelmed" by their "courage, hope, and gratitude".

On Sunday evening, the community gathered for a candlelit vigil honoring victims of the shooting.

Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said he hoped the nine injured students "get well fast" and paid respects to the families of the two people who died.

The attack brings the number of mass shootings in the US to 389 this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

It defines mass shootings as having four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.