As the investigation into the mass shooting at Brown University continues, frustration has grown on social media over the lack of clarity from law enforcement regarding the suspect. The shooting, which occurred on Saturday, December 13, in Providence, Rhode Island, left two Brown University students dead and nine others injured. Now entering its fourth day, investigators from the Providence Police Department and the FBI have yet to identify a suspect publicly.
As the manhunt continues, attention on social media has increasingly focused on a name circulating online: Mustapha Kharbouch. Users on X (formerly Twitter) have speculated about Kharbouch’s possible connection to the case, though authorities have not named any suspect or person of interest publicly.
Who is Mustapha Kharbouch, and why is he being linked to the Brown University shooting?
At this stage, Kharbouch has not been identified by law enforcement as a suspect or person of interest. His name has surfaced solely through online speculation following the removal of his student profile, and officials have provided no confirmation of any connection between him and the shooting.
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Brown University Mass Shooting: New Images, Description Of 'Person Of Interest' Released By FBI
Speculation intensified on Tuesday after social media users noticed that Brown University had removed the online student profile of Mustapha Kharbouch. The page, which previously identified him as a first-year student studying International Affairs and Anthropology with a focus on the Middle East, now leads to a “Page Not Found” message. Brown University has not commented on why the profile was taken down, and no credible reports have linked the removal to the shooting.
During a press conference providing an update on the investigation on Tuesday, Brown University President Christina Paxson was asked about reports that some student web pages had been taken down. Paxson said the university is working closely with law enforcement and is providing all internal information necessary for the investigation, adding that she was not aware of any web pages being removed in connection with the case.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez has acknowledged the challenges facing investigators and confirmed that the case remains active. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.
On Monday, the FBI released new surveillance videos and photographs of a possible person of interest in the shooting and announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s capture and conviction. The update came after a 24-year-old individual was taken into custody on Sunday as a person of interest but was later released without charges.
