A man suspected of instigating a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island was found dead on Friday night, according to Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. The tragic announcement came during a press conference where he confirmed that the suspect, a 48-year-old Portuguese citizen, took his own life. The timing of the incident was confirmed to have occurred on Thursday evening local time.
The suspect, last residing in Miami, Florida, had a prior connection to Brown University as an alumnus. He was discovered deceased in Salem, New Hampshire, with a school bag and two firearms—details revealed by Rhode Island’s attorney general, Peter Neronha.
This incident is further compounded by the shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, who was tragically killed just two days later at his home in Brookline, approximately 50 miles from Providence. Authorities believe the same individual is responsible for both acts of violence, as stated by Massachusetts District Attorney Leah B. Foley. She noted that the suspect and the murdered professor were once classmates in Portugal from 1995 to 2000.
At this time, the motives behind the shootings remain unclear. The brutal attack at Brown University resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others, occurring amidst finals week as a gunman unleashed chaos within one of the institution’s buildings.
Initially, a man in his 20s was taken into custody shortly after the shooting, but he was released the next day after being determined not to be connected to the crime. This left investigators racing to apprehend the actual suspect, who reportedly fled the university on foot.
As the communities of Providence and beyond grapple with these tragic events, law enforcement continues to piece together the series of incidents that have shaken this academic haven.