Brown investigators slammed for new video of shooting suspect
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Investigators are facing criticism for their handling of the case involving a tragic shooting at Brown University, which resulted in two fatalities and left nine others injured on Saturday night.

On Monday afternoon, the Providence Police Department in Rhode Island released new surveillance footage capturing what they believe is the prime suspect in the case.

The footage, however, raises concerns about its clarity. Recorded from a distance, the video shows a figure walking along a sidewalk near a street and parking lot as dusk falls on Saturday. The quality of the video makes it difficult to discern any facial features of the individual.

Throughout the brief 18-second clip, the suspect’s appearance remains obscured, blending into the dimly lit surroundings and a dark hedge.

With nearly 50 hours having passed since the chilling mass shooting, Rhode Island residents are expressing frustration and questioning the effectiveness of the investigative efforts so far.

It comes after FBI agents and cops detained a ‘person of interest’ identified as Benjamin Erickson, 24, hours after the attack on Saturday – but he was later released. 

As of Monday afternoon, authorities have no suspect in custody. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said the Wisconsin man who was in custody for most of Sunday ‘is not a person of interest at all at this point.’

Fury has mounted across Rhode Island, with fingers being pointed at FBI’s Kash Patel and local law enforcement for failing to track down a suspect. 

On Monday afternoon, Providence Police in Rhode Island released new surveillance footage of the person they think is their suspect

On Monday afternoon, Providence Police in Rhode Island released new surveillance footage of the person they think is their suspect

At no point is the person's face visible - and for the majority of the 18-second clip, the man completely blends into the dark hedge in his background

At no point is the person’s face visible – and for the majority of the 18-second clip, the man completely blends into the dark hedge in his background

People have been sharing outrage online as well. On Facebook, one user wote: ‘Providence Police are now releasing Benjamin Erickson from custody. This is called incompetence. Shooter still at large.’

‘What a joke! Keystone cops?!’ another user wrote in reference to an old movie about incompetent policemen.

‘They detained the wrong guy, leaked his name, smeared his service to our country in the Army, and then say “oops”. Absolute clown show in Rhode Island,’ a third user began.

‘The Rhode Island Attorney General is now apologizing for the false detention of Benjamin Erickson, stating it was “unfortunate” that his name was allowed to be leaked to the public. It’s “unfortunate” any of these people have jobs,’ the user concluded.

Erickson, an Army sniper, was taken into custody for questioning about the shooting that killed two Ivy League students on Sunday.

However, within hours of his name being leaked to the public, authorities disclosed at a hastily-convened 11pm press conference that he would be freed. 

‘We have a murderer out there,’ said Attorney General Peter Neronha, while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged that ‘the news is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.’

Smiley was right, as the news that the shooter is still at large has caused a series of false alarms on the Brown campus, as well as much of Providence and other parts of the state, since the manhunt resumed on Sunday night.

The news that the shooter is still at large has shaken up the Rhode Island community. Here, FBI officials are pictured searching an area of Providence on Monday

The news that the shooter is still at large has shaken up the Rhode Island community. Here, FBI officials are pictured searching an area of Providence on Monday

The manhunt resumed Sunday night, with investigators canvassing for new pieces of evidence. Here, an officer is pictured looking for clues with a police dog

The manhunt resumed Sunday night, with investigators canvassing for new pieces of evidence. Here, an officer is pictured looking for clues with a police dog

Police looked into reports of an armed man at a mall in Warwick early this morning, but nothing came of it. 

Theo Coben, 19, a Brown sophomore who sheltered in a bathroom on campus during the shooting, told the New York Times: ‘Everyone’s on edge.’

As of Monday afternoon, FBI agents were actively combing through the Providence area searching for any bit of evidence they could use to further their investigation.

Video taken by Fox News shows agents pushing snow around with their feet as they look for anything the shooter may have dropped.

Eric Daugherty, a conservative reporter, posted a clip of the video to X and wrote: ‘Could be a LONG way to go. At this point, the suspect could’ve gotten very far.’

Although they haven’t been vocal about it thus far, none may be more frustrated about the investigation’s lack of results than the families of the victims.

The identities of the two students who were killed in the shooting have been released. Ella Cook, 19, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, are both remembered as bright and hardworking by their families.

The identity of one of the injured has also been released. Kendall Turner, 19, is in critical but stable condition after receiving surgery Saturday night, according to an email sent to her high school’s community. 

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