The intensive search for the gunman responsible for the December 13, 2025, mass shooting at Brown University has entered its fifth day on Wednesday, December 17. Authorities have released a new, "enhanced" video timeline of the suspect, hoping to break the deadlock in a case that has left two students dead and nine others wounded. Despite a $50,000 reward offered by the FBI and the analysis of over 200 tips, no arrest has been made since the release of a previous person of interest on Sunday.

The immediate status and summary of the investigation centers on the movement of a masked individual captured by surveillance cameras in the College Hill neighborhood. The newly released footage, described by Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez as clearer than previous clips, shows the suspect "casing" the area for approximately two hours before the 4:03 p.m. shooting. The individual is seen walking near Hope and Benevolent streets, occasionally running and abruptly changing direction when approached by others. Following the attack at the Barus & Holley engineering building, the suspect was filmed walking away from a nearby parking lot toward Hope Street.

Key stats and descriptions provided by law enforcement paint a picture of a "stocky" male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. In the enhanced videos, the suspect is wearing dark or brown clothing, including a jacket, a hat (possibly a black beanie), gloves, a surgical style mask, and a shoulder bag. Police confirmed the weapon used was a 9 mm handgun, with more than 40 rounds fired during a Principles of Economics review session. The victims have been identified as Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore from Alabama and vice president of the Brown College Republicans, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, 18, a freshman from Uzbekistan.

The strategic factor complicating the search is a significant "blind spot" in the university’s surveillance network. While Brown operates over 1,200 cameras, officials admitted there is no clear footage from inside the specific classroom where the shooting occurred. This gap has forced investigators to rely heavily on private home security cameras and public assistance. Furthermore, social media has been flooded with unverified theories, most notably regarding Mustapha Kharbouch, a first year student whose profile was recently removed from the university website. Both university officials and police have stated that Kharbouch is not a suspect or person of interest, and they have warned that online "doxxing" and speculation are hampering the active investigation.

Looking at the future outlook, the FBI and Providence Police are urging residents to review any camera footage dating back a full week, searching for "moments shorter than a breath" that might reveal the suspect's face or a vehicle. Tensions remain high in the city, with increased police presence at local schools and a community struggling to find closure during the traditional final exam period. The university has temporarily delayed admissions decisions and continues to offer counseling services as the manhunt for the "armed and dangerous" individual remains the top priority for over 400 federal and local officers.