Rhode Island police say Brown University shooting suspect 'could be anywhere'

Rhode Island police said Wednesday that the gunman responsible for the Brown University shooting “could be anywhere” and that investigators currently have “zero information” regarding a possible motive.

At a press briefing, officials offered limited updates on the case. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said that “no one’s discouraged” and pledged that an “enormous amount of energy” is being applied to the investigation.

Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez described the manhunt as “the most intense investigation going on in this nation.” Authorities are asking for the public’s help and have released grainy surveillance images showing the suspect walking before and after the shooting.

When asked by reporters what evidence has been uncovered, Perez said investigators have “found no items of interest so far.” He later clarified that after extensive searches of the area where the shooting occurred, “we have both seized and found physical evidence,” without providing further details.

Neronha appeared combative at times with reporters, particularly when pressed on why additional security footage has not been released.

“If we get a better image of who committed this crime you’ll have it. There is no effort to preclude the public, online investigators, investigators in the press from getting to the result faster than we can,” Neronha said. “We are giving you the best evidence we can to identify this person.”

Earlier in the day, Neronha said authorities have “zero” information about a potential motive for the shooting.

The shooting occurred five days ago, and little information has been made public beyond several surveillance images of the suspect. Questions have been raised about the apparent lack of security cameras on campus. During the press conference, a Rhode Island radio host accused officials of deliberately removing security cameras at Brown University due to sanctuary policies, alleging the intent was to avoid recording illegal immigrants.

President Donald Trump also weighed in, writing in a post on Truth Social, “Why did Brown University have so few Security Cameras? There can be no excuse for that. In the modern age, it just doesn’t get worse!!!”