President Donald Trump is demanding answers from Brown University after a deadly campus shooting exposed what he described as serious security failures at the elite Ivy League school.
The shooting, which took place Saturday inside an engineering building on Brown’s Providence, Rhode Island campus, left two students dead and nine others injured. The gunman remains at large, and authorities say the lack of clear surveillance footage has slowed the investigation.
Trump Slams Campus Security
In a blunt post on Truth Social, President Trump questioned why one of the nation’s most prestigious universities appeared unprepared for a modern security threat.
“Why did Brown University have so few Security Cameras? There can be no excuse for that. In the modern age, it just doesn’t get worse!!!” Trump wrote.
The president’s remarks reflect broader concerns among parents and taxpayers about campus safety, accountability, and leadership at elite universities, many of which receive significant public funding and federal support.
University Pushes Back on Claims
Brown University officials disputed the criticism, stating the campus has more than 1,200 security cameras installed across buildings and outdoor areas. However, a university spokesperson acknowledged that cameras are not present in every hallway, classroom, laboratory, or office among the school’s 250-plus campus buildings.
Law enforcement officials confirmed there is no clear video of the suspect inside the engineering complex, limiting their ability to identify the shooter or release a facial image to the public.
Suspect Still at Large
Police released images of a person of interest dressed entirely in black, wearing a mask and beanie, seen walking on a nearby sidewalk hours before the attack. Investigators described the suspect as stocky and approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, but said they do not yet have enough evidence to name a suspect.
More than 200 tips have been submitted, but authorities say the investigation remains difficult without additional video footage.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez urged residents and businesses in the area to review their own security cameras, saying even seconds of footage could help.
“We’re looking for a moment that is shorter than someone taking a breath,” Perez said.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a Brown freshman who aspired to become a neurosurgeon, and Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore and a leader in the campus College Republicans group.
Their deaths have renewed debate over campus crime, public safety, and whether universities are prioritizing political agendas over student protection.
FBI Offers Reward
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Brown University has asked anyone who was inside the Barus & Holley Engineering Building on Friday or Saturday to contact Providence police, stressing that even minor details could be crucial.
Investigators confirmed the shooter used a 9mm handgun. Reports that the suspect shouted something before opening fire remain unconfirmed.
A 24-year-old man from Wisconsin was briefly detained as a person of interest but later released after authorities determined he had no connection to the attack.
Federal Authorities Respond
FBI Director Kash Patel said federal agents are working “around the clock” alongside local police to bring the suspect to justice.
“Continue praying for the Brown University community,” Patel wrote, adding that investigators will release additional information as it becomes available.