The recent tragic shooting at Brown University has revealed a significant oversight in the capabilities of Providence’s newly established “real-time crime center,” a facility that cost over $1 million to develop. Despite its extensive surveillance network, the center failed to include coverage of the university’s campus.
The incident, which unfolded around 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Barus and Holley engineering building, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left nine others injured. Initially, authorities detained a person of interest, but subsequent evidence did not support their involvement, leading to their release.
Among the victims were Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook. Cook, aged 19, held the position of vice president of the Brown University College Republicans, adding a personal dimension to the tragedy within the university community.
Providence’s “real-time crime center,” launched in August, was heralded as a major advancement in the city’s public safety strategy. It boasts access to hundreds of surveillance cameras throughout the area; however, none of these cameras cover the Ivy League institution, a gap that has now come into sharp focus following the shooting.
In an official statement during the center’s inauguration, Mayor Brett Smiley emphasized his commitment to enhancing public safety across all neighborhoods. “Since my first year as Mayor, prioritizing public safety has been my utmost goal. This investment in Providence’s Real Time Crime Center bolsters our capacity to safeguard communities and elevate the quality of life for everyone in Providence,” he remarked.
The situation underscores the need for comprehensive surveillance that includes key locations like university campuses, ensuring that such critical areas are not left vulnerable in the future.
The “real time crime center” was funded with a $1 million grant from the federal government. Providence also agreed to pay Axon Fusus $750,000 to run the system through 2028, which could be extended, according to the Rhode Island Current.
Providence Police Department Detective Maj. David Lapatin told the Providence Journal that the newly built center didn’t include any video feeds at Brown University when the shooting took place.
A law enforcement official walks past articles of clothing on a sidewalk near an entrance to Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, R.I., during the investigation of a shooting. (Steven Senne/AP Photo)
Police gather outside an entrance to Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Additionally, Lapatin said the crime center didn’t have access to any camera feeds from homes located close to the shooting.
Eric O’Neill, a cybersecurity expert and former FBI operative, told Fox News Digital it would have been helpful if Brown University allowed the crime center to use their security camera feeds.
A police vehicle rests at an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island, following a Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, shooting at the university. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“It certainly would have been nice if Brown had subscribed to the data center because my understanding is that there’s real-time monitoring, which would have meant that someone would have seen the activity on the cameras and perhaps law enforcement could have been alerted earlier,” O’Neill said.
Police have released several videos and images of a person of interest, but haven’t yet identified or arrested the individual.
Fox News Digital reached out to Brown University and the City of Providence for comment.
