President Trump criticized Brown University on Truth Social for what he called insufficient security camera coverage after the FBI faced scrutiny for detaining and then releasing a person tied to a campus shooting. Brown says it operates more than 1,200 cameras across its 250+ buildings but does not—and cannot—cover every interior space, and it is cooperating fully with investigators. The shooting left two dead and nine injured; the FBI initially used cellphone data in an arrest that was later voided and has since released new images of a person of interest, offering up to $50,000 for information.
Trump Questions Brown University's Camera Coverage as FBI Faces Backlash After Campus Shooting
President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed criticism of Brown University on Truth Social, questioning the university's use of security cameras after the FBI was criticized for detaining and later releasing a person in connection with a fatal campus shooting.
"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!!!"
Brown University spokesperson Brian Clark pushed back, saying the campus has "an expansive network of security cameras, with more than 1,200 cameras installed across campus buildings and spaces in both interior and exterior locations." Clark said cameras are concentrated in high-traffic areas including streets, sidewalks, campus hallways and building entry and exit points.
Clark stressed that cameras do not cover every interior space. "Brown’s security cameras do not extend to every hallway, classroom, laboratory and office across the 250+ buildings on campus," he said, adding that it would be imprudent to disclose precise camera locations for security reasons. He also emphasized that the university is cooperating fully with law enforcement and has provided footage from the engineering complex that includes Barus & Holley, the Engineering Research Center and Prince Lab.
The university issued alerts Saturday after reports of an active shooter near the Barus & Holley engineering building. The shooting left two people dead and nine others injured.
Investigators initially used cellphone data to arrest a person of interest Sunday, following an FBI tip, but Providence police later said there was no basis to believe the person in custody was a suspect and the individual was released. On Monday, Providence police and the FBI released new photos and video of a different person of interest, described as a stocky man about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, wearing a dark green-and-gray jacket, dark pants, dark shoes, a dark beanie and a dark face mask.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the shooting.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha pushed back on the notion that the incident was solely a Brown problem, telling CNN that "No one can foresee these events" and that, despite efforts to harden institutions, "you can never harden them against all threats." Lawmakers, including Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), condemned the violence, saying the shooting "shook the entire state."
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact local law enforcement or the FBI. The investigation remains active, and Brown says it will continue to provide requested footage and assistance to investigators.
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