Law enforcement investigating last weekend’s deadly shooting at Brown University extended their search into Massachusetts Wednesday. Local police in towns right over the Rhode Island border said there is no immediate safety threat in the area, and urged residents to verify any information they see on social media.
North Attleboro’s Chief Richard McQuade said in a letter to residents that the suspect is “not being sought in North Attleboro,” but said law enforcement is going to different communities as part of the overall investigation.
“This investigation, which is being conducted by the Providence Police Department and the FBI, has taken investigators into numerous communities, including ours,” McQuade wrote in a letter released Wednesday afternoon on the department’s social media. “I want to emphasize that there is no immediate threat to our community.”
In nearby Plainville, the police department shared a similar message on its Facebook page.
“As part of this investigation, law enforcement personnel may be present in Plainville or surrounding communities to interview students, employees, or potential witnesses, particularly as much of the campus population has departed for winter break,” the department post reads. “These activities are being conducted as part of an ongoing investigation, are precautionary in nature, and at this time, there is no indication of an immediate public safety threat.
“While social media can be a valuable tool for sharing important information, it is critical that any information shared publicly is accurate and appropriate,” it added. “Speculation or the dissemination of unverified information may cause unnecessary concern and could inadvertently interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation.”
Both Plainville and North Attleboro are within 20 miles of Providence.
Other law enforcement officials declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Providence Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and Rhode Island State Police.
Two students were killed and nine others were wounded in Saturday’s shooting on Brown’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Police arrested and then released a person of interest Sunday. Law enforcement officials have released several videos and stills of a new person of interest in recent days.
