News Update - Brown University Shooting

Rex Ballard
Dec 16, 2025
5 min read

New Video of Suspect in Brown University Shooting - photo/video Providence RI Police Dept.

Recent Updates Since December 15, 2025

As of December 16, 2025, the investigation is ongoing with no arrests made. Key developments reported today include:

Manhunt and Suspect Details: Providence police released new surveillance footage of a person of interest. The individual was described as a stocky person wearing a two toned jacket. Authorities released new video footage showing the suspect moving around the campus. The individual was wearing a surgical mask.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Providence police or the FBI tip line. The university has canceled classes and events through the week to allow for mourning and enhanced security measures. This remains a developing story, with further updates expected as the manhunt intensifies. The FBI is offering a reward for information on the suspect.

Press Conference

On December 16, 2025, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez, along with Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials, held a press conference to provide updates on the ongoing investigation into the Brown University shooting from December 14, which killed two students and injured nine others. The event focused on the manhunt for the suspect, newly released surveillance footage, and public safety assurances. However, the conference drew significant criticism for Perez's handling of questions, with reports and social media highlighting moments of evasion, factual errors, awkward phrasing, and body language cues suggesting discomfort or inconsistency. Perez, a Colombian immigrant, 29 year veteran of the Providence RI PD and the department's chief, was accused by some commentators of being incompetent.

Key Fumbling Moments and Responses

Several instances during the press conference and related interviews illustrated Perez's struggles, including verbal slips, corrections from aides or himself, and deflections. Below is a breakdown based on transcripts, video clips, and reports:

Evasion on What the Shooter Yelled: Multiple reporters pressed Perez on whether the gunman shouted anything before opening fire, with unconfirmed witness reports suggesting phrases like "Allahu Akbar." Perez repeatedly dismissed these questions, refusing to speculate or confirm, stating responses like, "I'm not going to uh speculate. I want to make sure that if I give you an answer it is grounded on facts." He used filler words ("uh") and pivoted to the need for more time in the investigation. Body language analysis from a widely shared clip showed Perez shaking his head "no" incongruently while verbally evading, which experts interpret as a subconscious sign of disagreement or withholding information. One observer noted this lasted nearly two minutes before the mayor intervened to "wrap it up." This moment was described as "astonishingly unacceptable" in coverage and social media.
Factual Errors and Corrections on Suspect Status and Footage:
- Perez initially stated that a person of interest was "in custody," but was immediately corrected by an aide whispering, "Custody is the wrong word," prompting him to clarify it as "detained." He explained this led to further leads but provided no details. That person, previously reported to be Benjamin Ericson, was subsequently released.
- On surveillance footage, he mistakenly said the key video "came from inside of [the] building," only to be corrected (possibly by the same aide) to "outside." He apologized multiple times: "I'm sorry, it's from outside," and reiterated, "I'm sorry, just outside... that's what we had, not inside." This exchange highlighted confusion over evidence from the university, which Perez described as "very limited." When asked about more videos, he fumbled by carefully wording that the released material is "what we have that could be released," avoiding a firm denial while noting detectives might uncover additional footage.
Awkward Response in Spanish: In one segment, Perez switched entirely to Spanish when answering a question, which caught some English-speaking reporters off guard. This was later praised for accommodating a journalist but criticized as evasive or unprofessional in a primarily English presser. The content emphasized detective dedication and professionalism but avoided specifics on the suspect.
General Evasions on Motive, Suspect Identity, and Connections: When questioned about any link between the suspect and the university or the motive, Perez responded vaguely: "So, that's all part of the investigations that we're conducting and again, it's it's complex... we'll be able to provide that information for you in that." He repeated themes of complexity and the time needed for "detective work," without substantive details. In an NBC interview portion, he affirmed investigating the suspect's identity but pivoted to community pride and calls for tips. Questions about why the specific classroom was targeted or if the suspect knew about camera limitations were labeled "unanswered." These responses included abrupt shifts, incomplete sentences, and fillers like "uh," contributing to perceptions of fumbling.

Public and Media Reaction

The conference was widely panned as "a joke," "an abomination," and unprofessional, with complaints about poor video presentation, repetitive non-answers, and difficulty understanding Perez's speech. Social media users highlighted his immigrant background and accused him of mishandling the investigation, while others called for federal involvement due to perceived local shortcomings. No arrests were announced, and Perez urged the suspect to "come forward" while emphasizing collaboration with the FBI.

This event remains part of a developing investigation, with no confirmed motive or additional suspects as of December 16, 2025.