The release of a person of interest in the Brown University shooting may look baffling, but a former FBI agent says it’s how real investigations actually work.
Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker told Fox & Friends First that the detention and subsequent release is part of the reality of law enforcement, not a sign the case is falling apart.
She acknowledged the setback.
“Obviously not very good for this investigation,” Parker said — but added that “it does happen.”
Parker pushed back on public expectations shaped by Hollywood.
“This is how investigations in the real world work,” Parker said. “We’re used to watching television shows, movies where it’s solved within 60 minutes, and that’s not always the case.”
According to Parker, authorities remain fully mobilized as the search for the gunman continues.
She described the probe as “an all-hands-on-deck” effort and said investigators now need to regroup.
“They’ve got to go back to the drawing board,” she said.
Parker added that a critical next step will be determining the shooter’s intent.
Investigators, she said, must assess whether the gunman was firing indiscriminately into a classroom or whether the attack appeared more targeted based on the victims.
The shooting happened inside a classroom in the Barus and Holley engineering building around 4 p.m. Saturday. Two Brown University students were killed, and 9 students were wounded, officials said.
Watch the clip above.
As the investigation continues, we are asking anyone with relevant information, including video or photo evidence, to submit it by phone or through the FBI tip line.
Police Tip Line: (401) 272-3121
FBI: https://t.co/uPmu5H5lhq pic.twitter.com/Y5FjiqQMog— Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) December 15, 2025
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