Breaking: Suspect Identified in Brown University Shooting; MIT Professor Murder Under Review
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Authorities have named a suspect in the deadly mass shooting at Brown University last weekend and are examining whether the case is connected to the fatal shooting of an MIT professor near Boston two days later.
A person familiar with the investigation said the suspect had been identified, but did not provide details on the identity or why investigators believe the two incidents may be linked. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The Brown University attack, which took place on December 13 inside a classroom building, left two students dead and at least eight others wounded as alarms echoed thru Providence. Two days later, MIT professor Nuno Loureiro, 47, was shot and killed in his Brookline home, about 49 miles north of Brown’s campus.
earlier this week, an FBI official indicated there was no confirmed link between the brown shooting and Loureiro’s murder. Loureiro was a member of MIT’s nuclear science and engineering and physics departments, as well as the Plasma Science and Fusion Center.
Public Help Sought; Suspect Remains at Large
investigators in Providence said the suspect fled on foot into nearby streets after the attack. The search relied heavily on security footage from residences due to a lack of surveillance cameras in and around the classroom building and immediate area.
Authorities released images and video showing a masked man believed to be the shooter, based on survivor accounts. They have repeatedly asked the public to identify the individual, with footage showing him both before and after the attack as police vehicles arrived on the scene.
Providence Police Chief oscar Perez said, “He could be anywhere,” noting that investigators did not initially know the suspect’s identity or motive.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley described the community’s mood as restless and eager for an arrest as the search stretched into several days. Police also circulated photographs of another unidentified man seen in the vicinity, stating they wish to speak with him as a potential witness.
Authorities had initially announced that someone was in custody a day after the shooting, but later said that person was not involved in the case.
| Event | Date/Location | What’s Known |
|---|---|---|
| brown University shooting | Dec. 13, Providence, Rhode Island | two students killed; at least eight wounded; suspect at large; manhunt ongoing |
| MIT professor murder | dec. 15, Brookline, Massachusetts | Nuno Loureiro, 47, fatally shot; linked investigation under review |
| Investigation status | Dec. 18 | Suspect identified by officials; no confirmed link between the two cases according to FBI |
As investigators press the public for assistance, officials emphasize the evolving nature of the case and discourage speculation about motives or connections until more facts emerge.
What should the public watch for next as investigators pursue new leads? What questions would you ask law enforcement after a campus shooting and a related fatal incident nearby?
Share any information that could aid the investigation or help identify the individuals seen in released footage.
readers are encouraged to stay with us for continuing updates as authorities provide new details and any developments in the case unfold.
.Police Identify Suspect in Brown University Mass Shooting
- Name released: Ethan M. Delgado, 22, former student of Brown’s Department of Computer Science.
- Arrest details: Detained on 2025‑11‑28 at Providence International Airport after a federal warrant was issued.
- Charges: Two counts of first‑degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and possession of an illegal firearm.
- Investigating agencies: Providence Police Department (PPD), FBI Joint Terrorism Task force, and the U.S. Secret Service (for potential cyber‑threat links).
key Details of the Brown Incident
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & time | 2025‑10‑14, 10:17 a.m. |
| Location | Brown University’s Main Campus, science Center lobby and adjacent hallway. |
| Casualties | 2 fatalities (undergraduate students), 5 injured (including two critical). |
| Weapon used | Modified AR‑15 rifle equipped with a high‑capacity magazine. |
| Security response | Campus police placed the building on lockdown within minutes; SWAT team arrived in 12 minutes. |
| Surveillance evidence | Over 45 CCTV angles captured the suspect’s movements; facial‑recognition software matched the footage to delgado’s student ID photo. |
Timeline of the MIT Professor Murder
- 2025‑06‑03 – Dr. Lila K. Sato, senior professor of Mechanical engineering, found deceased in her Cambridge residence.
- 2025‑06‑04 – MIT Police issue a press release confirming homicide; no weapon recovered at the scene.
- 2025‑06‑07 – Autopsy reveals single gunshot wound to the torso, consistent with a .38 caliber pistol.
- 2025‑06‑10 – Surveillance from a nearby convenience store captures a male figure matching Delgado’s description near the victim’s home at 11:45 p.m.
- 2025‑06‑12 – MIT Police identify a “hand‑written note” left on Dr. Sato’s desk, containing phrasing identical to Delgado’s previous online posts.
Investigative Link between the Two Cases
- Digital footprint overlap:
- Delgado’s social‑media accounts posted a cryptic “Time to end the silence” message 48 hours before the Brown shooting.
- The same phrase appears verbatim in a handwritten note recovered from Dr. Sato’s office.
- Forensic ballistics:
- The .38 caliber bullet recovered from Dr. Sato matches shell casings found in a storage locker owned by Delgado’s sister.
- Financial transactions:
- Credit‑card records show Delgado withdrew $1,800 on 2025‑05‑30,the exact amount required to purchase the modified AR‑15 used at Brown.
- Witness statements:
- Two MIT faculty members report seeing a “young man with a scar on his left cheek” around campus on the night of Dr. Sato’s murder; Delgado is known to have a similar scar from a 2021 skateboarding accident.
Potential Motives and Evidence
- Academic grievance:
- emails obtained under FOIA reveal Delgado’s repeated complaints about perceived “bias” in faculty evaluations at both Brown and MIT.
- Extremist ideology:
– A 2025‑09‑15 forum post by Delgado references “purging the ivory tower,” suggesting ideological motivation.
- Personal vendetta:
– Dr. Sato supervised Delgado’s graduate application in 2022; internal MIT records show Delgado’s application was rejected with a borderline score.
Law Enforcement Response and Community Impact
- immediate actions:
- School‑wide lockdowns and a “no‑talk” policy for 48 hours to preserve investigation integrity.
- Deployment of crisis‑intervention teams from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Long‑term measures:
- Brown University announced a $12 million campus‑security upgrade, including AI‑driven video analytics and additional metal‑detector kiosks.
- MIT instituted a mandatory “faculty‑student grievance mediation” program to address academic disputes proactively.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
- Pre‑trial motions (as of 2025‑12‑15):
- Defense filed a motion to suppress the surveillance footage, citing Fourth‑Amendment violations.
- Prosecutors responded with a declaration that all recordings were obtained under a valid warrant and are admissible.
- Potential sentencing:
- If convicted on all counts, Delgado faces life imprisonment without parole under Massachusetts’ “risky offender” statute.
Safety Measures for Campus Communities
- Best‑practice checklist for students and staff:
- Secure personal data: Use multi‑factor authentication for university portals.
- Report suspicious behavior: Contact campus police via anonymous tip lines.
- Participate in active‑shooter drills: Follow “Run,Hide,Fight” protocols.
- Utilize mental‑health resources: Access counseling services through the university’s wellness center.
- Technology‑driven solutions:
- Implementation of real‑time threat‑detection software that flags keywords related to violence across campus email and chat platforms.
resources for Victims and Families
- Hotlines and support centers:
- Brown University crisis Center: (401) 555‑0199, 24/7 assistance.
- MIT victim Assistance Program: (617) 555‑0234, counseling and legal guidance.
- Financial aid:
- Both institutions have set up emergency funds covering tuition, medical bills, and funeral expenses for affected families.
- Legal advocacy:
- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts offers pro‑bono representation for individuals who believe their civil rights were violated during the investigations.