Authorities in Rhode Island are continuing to search for the gunman who opened fire on the Brown University campus in Providence on Saturday, killing two students and injuring nine others, even as unverified claims about the shooter’s alleged words and motive circulate widely on social media.
The victims who were killed have been identified as Ella Cook, a student from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a student from Uzbekistan. Nine other students were wounded in the attack and are receiving medical treatment.
The shooter fled the scene and remains at large. A man detained over the weekend in connection with the incident was released after investigators said there was insufficient evidence to hold him, despite US President Donald Trump having publicly referred to the individual as “the suspect.”
Law enforcement officials have not identified any suspect or established a motive for the shooting. On Monday, the Providence Police Department released images and video footage of a “person of interest” captured approximately two hours before the attack, showing an individual wearing a black mask, dark clothing and a hat.
Video of person of interest in Brown shooting: pic.twitter.com/fjufQ3MTdC
— Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) December 14, 2025
As the investigation continues, speculation about the shooter’s identity and motive has intensified online. Political activist Laura Loomer posted a Fox News clip on X in which a reporter said the gunman had shouted something before opening fire, but added that it was unclear what had been said.
Sharing the clip, Loomer claimed that a source had told her the shooter shouted “Allahu Akbar,” alleging without evidence that the information was being suppressed by police and Democratic officials in Rhode Island. Her post, which did not cite any corroboration, has been viewed millions of times.
BREAKING: Brown University mass shooter yelled “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire on campus according to sources.
How come the media is suppressing eye witness testimony about how the shooter at Brown University allegedly shouted Allahu Akbar before he opened fire on campus the… pic.twitter.com/72pVj9kbUe
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) December 14, 2025
A similar claim was shared by the account Libs of TikTok, which questioned why police were allegedly “covering this up.” The post included a screenshot of an article by the local government news outlet The Center Square, which reported that some media outlets had quoted students and witnesses claiming the phrase was heard before the shooting.
The police are refusing to say what the Brown University shooter yelled before opening fire and kiIIing 2 people
Witnesses say he shouted “Allahu Akbar.”
Why are the police covering this up? pic.twitter.com/xmCPGmVTwc
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 16, 2025
Police are refusing to say what the Brown University shooter shouted before he opened fire
I wonder why.. pic.twitter.com/aAi6csST9r https://t.co/OknwE8A7F9
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 16, 2025
However, law enforcement authorities have not confirmed that any such words were spoken, nor have they indicated that any information is being withheld. Police have not attributed any ideological or religious motive to the attack.
The Providence Police Department said the investigation remains active. The FBI’s Boston field office announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the shooter.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified updates from law enforcement and to avoid spreading unconfirmed information while the investigation is ongoing.
This attack comes around the same time as the Bondi Beach terror attack on Jews during Hanukkah.
Source: Newsweek
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