The case involving the shooting deaths at Brown University is now on its fourth day as police are still hunting for the shooter. This shooting occurred on Saturday, December 13, in Providence, Rhode Island, and claimed the lives of two students, injuring nine others.
Although the police have not pointed out any suspect yet. But the internet rumors about the case developed rapidly. It became known on social networks that the Internet trail of one Brown University student was being deleted during the current search operation.
As reported by Internet users, the profile page belonging to a student named Mustapha Kharbouch was removed from Brown University. There are no reports from authorities about his involvement in the shooting incident.
Who Is Mustapha Kharbouch?
The name Mustapha Kharbouch started to trend on social media sites, as the news spread by Internet users that the profile page belonging to a student named Mustapha Kharbouch was removed from Brown University. Although the police have yet to link him to the crime as a suspect or a person of interest. There have been no official statements from law enforcers to connect him to the attack.
Mustapha Kharbouch is thought to be a first-year undergraduate majoring in International & Public Affairs. His reportedly deleted university profile described him as a third-generation Palestinian refugee who was born and raised in Lebanon. He secured a scholarship to study at UWC Maastricht and actively takes part in, and continued to lead, initiatives focused on community building and social change.
According to the profile, he had academic interests in the field of International Affairs and Anthropology, with a specialization in the Middle East.
Social Media Speculations Erupt Over Delete
Speculation about Kharbouch began to heat up when notice was taken of his Brown University profile, which was no longer in the directory. The link returns a “page not found” notice, leading to speculation.
One user said, “Palestinian activist, Mustapha Kharbouch. Brown University has taken down information about their student from their website. X has also taken down his X account (FBI request?)”
Another post questioned, “Why is Brown University actively removing all of their articles & link references on their student helper Mustapha Kharbouch?”
Despite this, there has been no confirmed evidence yet which throws light on the reasons for deleting the profile or whether it relates to the ongoing investigations or not.
President of Brown University Responds on Speculations
During the press conference on Tuesday, President of Brown University Christina Paxson was asked about the reported removal of websites of several college students.
However, she said the university is fully cooperating with the police and is giving them all the information they have requested. Paxson also revealed that she knows of no student homepages that have been taken down as a result of the shooting.
The FBI Releases Footage, Issues Reward
As the manhunt for the gunman is still ongoing, the FBI released new images and videos. The face of the person in the video is not visible. The FBI has also set apart a reward amounting to a maximum of $US 50,000 for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the shooter.
Previously, one person, aged 24, was also briefly arrested as a person of interest, only to be released as there was no concrete evidence that could implicate him in the crime.
It has been cautioned repeatedly not to spread rumors without verification, since online speculation may affect the investigation and cause delay of justice.
Brown University Shooting: Timeline of Events
December 13: A mass shooting occurred inside a classroom of Barus & Holley Engineering and Physics Building at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, during exam-period activities. . Two students were killed and nine were injured. This incident occurred around 4:00 pm.
December 13: US President Donald Trump reported initially that the gunman was already in custody, though later, Trump stated the gunman is still at run.
December 13: Footage of the shooter has been released, although their face is not visible on camera.
Early December 14: A person of interest was held in a hotel.
December 14, Late Afternoon: Authorities stated that the arrested person would be released because the police found that they had no evidence. His name was later posted on-line.
December 15: New video is released, but the gunman is, of course, not positively established.
December 16: The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000, noting that the suspect is armed and dangerous. The Government Calls for Caution The authorities continue to investigate this issue and have asked everyone to follow official announcements on this matter only. They have explained that this kind of rumor might result in confusion regarding justice for the culprit.
Also Read: How a Tip and FBI Tech Led Police to a Hotel Room After Brown University Shooting Suspect
