Journalism of Courage
Police have identified a suspect in last weekend’s deadly shooting at Brown University and are examining whether it could be linked to the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor two days later, a person familiar with the investigation told Reuters.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the case, did not give details about the suspect’s identity or explain why investigators believe the two incidents may be connected.
Authorities have been searching for the suspect since December 13, when a gunman opened fire inside a classroom building at Brown University in Providence. Two students were killed and at least eight others were injured.
Two days later, MIT professor Nuno Loureiro, 47, was shot dead at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, about 49 miles north of Brown’s campus. Loureiro worked in MIT’s departments of nuclear science and engineering and physics, and was also part of the university’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center.
Earlier this week, an FBI official said investigators did not believe there was a connection between the Brown University shooting and the killing of the MIT professor. However, the source said police are now taking another look at whether the cases could be linked.
Providence police said the suspect fled the Brown campus on foot and disappeared into nearby streets. Investigators have relied heavily on footage from home security cameras, as there are few surveillance cameras in and around the classroom building.
Police have released images and video of a masked man believed to be the shooter, based on accounts from survivors, and have repeatedly asked the public for help in identifying him. The footage shows the man walking through a nearby neighbourhood before and after the shooting, including as police vehicles arrived with flashing lights.
“He could be anywhere,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said on Wednesday, according to Reuters. He added that police did not initially know the suspect’s identity or motive.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said residents and students were becoming “restless and eager” for an arrest as the search continued.
Police have also shared images of another unidentified man seen near the area, saying they want to speak with him as a possible witness who may have information relevant to the case.
Authorities briefly took one person into custody a day after the shooting but later released him after determining he was not involved, Reuters said.
