Topline
Police in Providence, Rhode Island, released new photos Wednesday of someone they are seeking “who was in proximity of the person of interest” in the shooting, as pressure builds on investigators who have yet to name a suspect.
Key Facts
Investigators believe the person may have spoken to the person of interest, but did not have “any kind of criminal contact,” Providence police told CNN.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez also said the person of interest was seen in the neighborhood hours before the shooting, adding, “we believe he was actually casing out this area.”
Authorities faced tough questions about the lack of quality images or videos after four days of searching, while the shooter remains at large and police have yet to identify a suspect.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said there was no footage from inside the building depicting the person of interest, telling reporters “this building is on the very edge of the campus,” and the shooting took place at the “edge of that building,” which he categorized as an older building on campus.
The footage follows several earlier releases of images by Providence police and the FBI, in addition to the announcement of a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed two people at the school Saturday.
The face of the person of interest is consistently obscured with a mask and dark beanie in images, though the FBI describes him as “approximately 5’8” with a stocky build.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency sent additional personnel to Rhode Island Monday to help track down leads, adding, “Anything Rhode Island authorities need from this FBI, we will be there.”
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee late Monday night called for the state’s top education officials to conduct a “full review of their school safety and security plans” and said the state is committing “every resource available” to assist in the ongoing manhunt for a gunman.
Providence police announced an “enhanced presence” in the city Monday afternoon and requested security camera footage from local businesses and residences.
Authorities announced a person of interest was in custody Sunday before he was released later in the day, with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha saying Sunday night, “there is no basis to consider him a person of interest” and telling CNN Monday he is “not on our radar” anymore.
Crucial Quote
“Obviously we have a murderer out there, frankly, and so we’re not going to give away the game plan,” Neronha said.
