The search for the individual responsible for the shooting at a Brown University final exam study session on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others, is still active following Sunday night’s announcement by authorities that a previously held “person of interest” had been released.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged potential renewed community apprehension during a late Sunday press conference, aiming to allay safety fears. He stated, “We believe that you remain safe in our community, though we will continue to have an enhanced police presence throughout the city and on the Brown campus.”

According to Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez at the press conference, a 24-year-old individual was apprehended Sunday as a person of interest, following an FBI tip that guided investigators to them. However, Perez noted that after an inquiry, law enforcement lacked adequate evidence to pursue charges against the person.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha commented, “We have not yet solved this case, but I’m confident we’re going to do that, and I am confident we’re going to do that in the very near future.”

Smiley urged anyone possessing information regarding the shooting to step forward, as law enforcement persists in its search for further video evidence. Officials indicated that surveillance footage was scarce due to the incident occurring in “an old building attached to a new one” with few cameras. Smiley also mentioned that community members should anticipate officers conducting door-to-door inquiries in their quest for more video.

On Monday’s “Good Morning America,” the mayor stated, “We do have a small, short clip of video footage that we do believe is the person that we’re looking for. And right now we don’t have any evidence to suggest that it was more than that individual which has been seen in that video.”

University President Christina Paxson confirmed that the shooting took place in Brown’s Barus & Holley engineering and physics building around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Paxson reported on Sunday that seven of those injured in the incident were in critical but stable condition, with one person still in critical condition.

The College Republicans of America named Ella Cook, the vice president of the Brown College Republicans, as one of the students who died in the attack.

The national organization posted on X that “Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.”

The Uzbekistan Foreign Affairs Ministry identified Muhammad Aziz Umurzakov as the other student who lost his life in the attack.

Karina Gabit, Umurzokov’s aunt, informed that “He was very kind, smart. Attended talented and gifted schools.” She added that he “wanted to be a neurosurgeon ’cause when he was 10 he had a very serious eight-hours-long brain surgery.”

Brown University issued a statement Sunday night indicating that law enforcement did not perceive any further threats to the campus or the surrounding community. Nevertheless, the university cautioned students and faculty to anticipate an ongoing police presence as the investigation proceeds.

The university stated, “As Providence police continue to lead this investigation, they have informed Brown that they are continuing their search efforts, which includes ongoing coordination with multiple agencies. There continues to be a heightened amount of local, state and federal police activity in the area as law enforcement continues to investigate and patrol with increased vigilance.”

Smiley confirmed his intention not to re-impose the shelter-in-place advisory, which had been lifted after the person of interest was taken into custody. While Providence Public Schools operated on Monday, several other private schools in the vicinity stayed closed due to the shooting. Brown University has canceled all classes and exams for the rest of the semester.

The Saturday attack occurred just before the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, an event that claimed 26 lives, including 20 elementary school students. It was noted that at least two Brown students had previously survived other school shootings.